Important Figures in the Development of the Philosophy of Science in the Twentieth Century Important Figures in the Development of the Philosophy of Science in the Twentieth Century Karl Popper and Thomas Kuhn

Karl Popper- Important Arguments Science is probabilistic and is not absolute; in the natural exact sciences the probabilistic aspect is higher than in the social sciences Science is probabilistic and is not absolute; in the natural exact sciences the probabilistic aspect is higher than in the social sciences Science operates using negative rather than positive arguments; abandoning the hypothesis that has been refuted in favor of the expression and evaluation of another. Science operates using negative rather than positive arguments; abandoning the hypothesis that has been refuted in favor of the expression and evaluation of another.

Popper- (continued): Science, according to Popper, advances by trial and error using rational criticism. Science, according to Popper, advances by trial and error using rational criticism. According to his method, analysis of science is more normative than descriptive. According to his method, analysis of science is more normative than descriptive. In his philosophy, Popper emphasizes the link between thought and the scientific method and between the characteristics of the society and its political regime. In his philosophy, Popper emphasizes the link between thought and the scientific method and between the characteristics of the society and its political regime.

Thomas Kuhn- The Paradigm as Central Concept The existence of a paradigm testifies to "normal science" or "correct science". The absence of a paradigm (or the existence of competing sum- paradigms) indicates science in crisis. The existence of a paradigm testifies to "normal science" or "correct science". The absence of a paradigm (or the existence of competing sum- paradigms) indicates science in crisis. The rise of a new paradigm symbolizes a scientific revolution in the filed. The rise of a new paradigm symbolizes a scientific revolution in the filed. The paradigm has a philosophical- intellectual aspect, but also a social-community aspect of science. The paradigm has a philosophical- intellectual aspect, but also a social-community aspect of science.

The Community Aspect of the Paradigm Science exists in communities, and requires resources without which it cannot exist. Science exists in communities, and requires resources without which it cannot exist. "The guards at the gate" decide who will be included in the community, who deserves to be rewarded, what success is and what failure is. "The guards at the gate" decide who will be included in the community, who deserves to be rewarded, what success is and what failure is. "The guards at the gate" are the various editors of magazines, university committees, research institutes, Nobel Prize judges etc. "The guards at the gate" are the various editors of magazines, university committees, research institutes, Nobel Prize judges etc.

The Intellectual Aspect of the Paradigm Basic assumptions or axioms about the nature of the world, science and the topic of the current research. Basic assumptions or axioms about the nature of the world, science and the topic of the current research. Method of research Method of research Questions and Problems Questions and Problems Historical and cultural heritage. Historical and cultural heritage.

Summary Popper attacks the question of science from the standpoint of an individual scientist, while the approach of Kuhn includes community standpoints. Popper attacks the question of science from the standpoint of an individual scientist, while the approach of Kuhn includes community standpoints. Popper believes in the existence of the ability and desire of scientists to abandon theories which are unfounded or refuted, while Kuhn believes that scientists hold on, at times stubbornly, to old theories and that they are not readily willing to consider them as unfounded. Popper believes in the existence of the ability and desire of scientists to abandon theories which are unfounded or refuted, while Kuhn believes that scientists hold on, at times stubbornly, to old theories and that they are not readily willing to consider them as unfounded. Popper describes progress in science using the normative-ideal model, while Kuhn describes advance using the realistic- empiric model. Popper describes progress in science using the normative-ideal model, while Kuhn describes advance using the realistic- empiric model. The philosophy of Kuhn should not be regarded as criticism or as an attempt to refute Popper's philosophy, but rather, as an additional aspect of analysis of science. The philosophy of Kuhn should not be regarded as criticism or as an attempt to refute Popper's philosophy, but rather, as an additional aspect of analysis of science.