Meaning Changes: A Study of Thomas Kuhn's PhilosophyThomas Kuhn with his classic The Structure of Scientific Revolutions is one of the most influential and widely read philosophers of the 20th century. Kuhn's claim that the meanings of scientific terms change is often taken to be refuted by recent advances in the philosophy of language. Meaning Changes challenges this interpretation showing that meaning change in Kuhn has multiple aspects: Semantic, mental and historical. The author describes the traditional view with clarity, but demonstrates that Kuhn's idea stems from his studies of history. The book explains how Kuhn's philosophy is supported by cognitive science and why meaning change is relevant to the history of ideas. It argues that Kuhn's case against Hilary Putnam's causal theory of reference constitutes serious criticism of the account. The book concludes by analysing Kuhn's 'historical perspective' in the coherentist epistemological framework, which regards the question of scientific progress ultimately as empirical. This book will be of particular interest to students and scholars of the history and philosophy of science. It also is valuable reading to anybody interested in philosophy or scientific change. |
Contents
Multiple aspects of meaning change | 1 |
Meaning change and philosophy of science | 13 |
3 | 18 |
13 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
Andersen argued beliefs Bird Carnap causal theory chapter characterisation cognitive psychology cognitive science coherence coherentism comparison conceptual scheme criteria determined Einsteinian empirical entities epistemological evaluation example explain extension family resemblance account Furthermore historical concepts history of ideas history of science holistic implies incommensurability individuals instances intensional interest interpretation kind terms Kuhn and Feyerabend Kuhn says Kuhn writes Kuhn's philosophy Kuhn's theory later Lavoisier learning logical empiricism logical positivism Lovejoy's meaning change natural kind Nersessian Newtonian notion objects ontology paradigm perspective Philosophy of Science Phlogiston theory planet possible problem properties Putnam question realism reason recognise referential relations Scientific Revolutions scientists semantic semantic network sense Sharrock and Read similarities and dissimilarities structure studies substance suggestion taxonomy Thagard theoretical theory change theory choice theory of concept theory of justification theory of reference thesis truth understanding unit ideas University Wittgenstein's