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Theory flexibility and inconsistency in science
pp. 2891-2906
Abstract
For several decades now philosophers have discussed apparent examples of internally inconsistent scientific theories. However, there is still much controversy over how exactly we should conceive of scientific theories in the first place. Here I argue for a new approach, whereby all of the truly important questions about inconsistency in science can be asked and answered without disagreements about theories and theory-content getting in the way. Three examples commonly described as ‘internally inconsistent theories’ are analysed in the light of this approach. In the process, the question ‘Is the theory inconsistent or not?’ is identified as a bad, or at least unimportant, question.
Publication details
Published in:
Bueno Otávio, Vickers Peter (2014) Is science inconsistent?. Synthese 191 (13).
Pages: 2891-2906
DOI: 10.1007/s11229-014-0464-8
Full citation:
Vickers Peter (2014) „Theory flexibility and inconsistency in science“. Synthese 191 (13), 2891–2906.