Historical antecedents to the philosophy of Paul Feyerabend. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Munévar, Gonzalo
• Is Part Of: Studies in history and philosophy of science. Volume 57(2016)
• Page Start: 9
• Page End: 16
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Feyerabend -- Galileo -- Mill -- Aristotle -- Plato -- Machiavelli; Science -- History -- Periodicals; Science -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; 509
• DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2015.11.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0039-3681

Abstract

Abstract: Paul Feyerabend has been considered a very radical philosopher of science for proposing that we may advance hypotheses contrary to well-confirmed experimental results, that observations make theoretical assumptions, that all methodological rules have exceptions, that ordinary citizens may challenge the judgment of experts, and that human happiness should be a key value for science. As radical as these theses may sound, they all have historical antecedents. In defending the Copernican view, Galileo exemplified the first two; Mill, Aristotle and Machiavelli all argued for pluralism; Aristotle gave commonsense reasons for why ordinary citizens may be able to judge the work of experts; and a combination of Plato's and Aristotle's views can offer strong support for the connection between science and happiness.