Explaining Science: A Cognitive Approach PDF
Preview Explaining Science: A Cognitive Approach
EXPLAINING SCIENCE Science and Its Conceptual Foundations David L. Hull, Editor Ronald N. Giere EXPLAINING SCIENCE A COGNITIVE APPROACH The University of Chicago Press Chicago and London The University of Chicago Press, Chicago 60637 The University of Chicago Press, Ltd., London © 1988 by The University of Chicago All rights reserved. Published 1988 Paperback edition 1990 Printed in the United States of America 06 OS 04 03 02 0100 99 98 97 45678 Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Giere, Ronald N. Explaining science: a cognitive approach I Ronald N. Giere. p. cm. - (Science and its conceptual foundations series) Bibliography: p. Includes index. ISBN 0-226-29206-1 (paper) 1. Science-Philosophy. 2. Science-Social aspects. 3. Cognition. 4. Realism. I. Title. II. Series: Science and its conceptual foundations. Q175.G4889 1988 500-dcI9 87-27033 CIP This book is printed on acid-free paper. For Barbara Contents List of Figures xi Preface xv Acknowledgments xix 1 Toward a U~fied Cognitive Theory of Science 1 What Might a Cognitive Theory of Science Be? 1 Rationality, Relativism, and Cognition 2 Representation and Judgment 5 Naturalistic Realism 7 Can the Philosophy of Science Be Naturalized? 8 Must the Naturalistic Study of Science Be Viciously Circular? 10 Evolutionary Naturalism 12 What Might a Cognitive Theory of Science Be Like? 16 A Role for History? 18 Overview of This Book 19 2 Theories of Science 22 Logical Empiricism 22 The Social Structure of Science 29 Paradigms and Revolutions 32 Programs and Traditions 38 Constructive Empiricism 46 The Strong Program 50 Laboratory Studies 56 The Sociological Analysis of Scientists' Discourse 59 3 Models and Theories 62 The Science Textbook 62 vii viii Contents The Organization of a Mechanics Text 64 The Linear Oscillator 68 Interpretation and Identification 74 The Laws of Motion 76 Models and Hypotheses 78 What Is a Scientific Theory? 82 What about Axiomatic Presentations of Mechanics? 87 Beyond Classical Mechanics 89 4 Constructive Realism 92 Respects of Similarity 92 Varieties of Empiricism 94 Unrestricted Realism 96 Metaphysical Realism 98 Modal Realism 98 Laws as Universal Generalizations 102 Causal Models and Causal Explanations 104 Realistic Rejoinders 106 5 Realism in the Laboratory 111 Contingency and Negotiation 112 Producing Protons 115 Using Protons 120 Experimentation and Realism 124 The Limitations of Empiricism 128 The Limitations of Constructivism 130 Geometrical Cognition in Nuclear Research 133 The Role of Technology in Scientific Research 136 6 Scientific Judgment 141 Scientists as Decision Makers 141 Basic Decision Models 143 Bayesian Decision Models 145 Are Scientists Bayesian Agents? 149 Satisficing Models 157 Scientists as Satisficers 161 Experimental Tests 165 Philosophical Objections 168 The Role of Probability in Science 172 Contents ix 7 Models and Experiments 179 Models of the Nuclear Potential 180 Background to the Pursuit of Relativistic Dirac Models 184 Response to the New Data 191 Why Successful Predictions Matter 198 Further Evidence 203 The Design and Execution of an Experimental Test 208 Cognitive Resources and Scientific. Interests 213 An Evolutionary Picture 222 The Future of Dirac Models in Nuclear Physics 222 8 Explaining the Revolution in Geology 227 Contractionist Models 228 Wegener and Continental Drift 229 Wegener's Critics 234 Oceanography and Paleomagnetism 241 Seafloor Spreading 249 The Vine-Matthews Hypothesis 252 The Juan de Fuca Ridge 257 The Vindication of Seafloor Spreading 261 Mobilism Becomes a Satisfactory Option 270 Revolution or Evolution? 275 Epilogue: Reflexive Reflections 279 Notes 281 References 295 Index 315
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