Philosophy Discussion 3

a) Explain the concept of falsifiability in the thinking of Karl Popper. What importance did this idea have in our understanding of what science is and how it should proceed toward finding answers to the problems science addresses. Why wouldn’t verification of a hypothesis or theory be preferable?(b) Explain Kuhn’s concept of paradigm shifts in science. If his theory of scientific knowledge is correct, what implications does this have for the future conduct of scientists as such and for the notion of scientific truth? Be sure to include in your discussion an explanation of what you understand a scientific theory to be and whether you think any scientific fact or finding can be theory-neutral.

Margaret Putnam, running the lab of her husband’s medical practice, 1930s. Photo: Constance Putnam, Concord, MA [accessed at http://www.mpiwg-berlin.mpg.de/projects/projects/DeptII_Oertzen_Using].