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Single Idea 15207
[filed under theme 14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 2. Aim of Science
]
Full Idea
Don't ask, which theory is more coherent? Ask, which theory is more illuminating?
Gist of Idea
We want illuminating theories, rather than coherent theories
Source
Robin Le Poidevin (Past, Present and Future of Debate about Tense [1998], 5)
Book Ref
'Questions of Time and Tense', ed/tr. Le Poidevin,R [OUP 2002], p.41
The
15 ideas
with the same theme
[what science is trying to achieve, in general]:
21950
|
Science must clear away the idols of the mind if they are ever going to find the truth
[Bacon]
|
18971
|
Theories are practical tools for progress, not answers to enigmas
[James]
|
5391
|
Science aims to find uniformities to which (within the limits of experience) there are no exceptions
[Russell]
|
3856
|
Good theories have empirical content, explain a lot, and are not falsified
[Popper, by Newton-Smith]
|
17508
|
Science aims at truth, not at 'simplicity'
[Putnam]
|
12669
|
Science aims to explain things, not just describe them
[Ellis]
|
15225
|
Science investigates the nature and constitution of things or substances
[Harré/Madden]
|
15298
|
We prefer the theory which explains and predicts the powers and capacities of particulars
[Harré/Madden]
|
14917
|
To accept a scientific theory, we only need to believe that it is empirically adequate
[Fraassen]
|
19007
|
A theory need not be true to be good; it should just be true about its physical aspects
[Yablo]
|
7026
|
Science is sometimes said to classify powers, neglecting qualities
[Heil]
|
15207
|
We want illuminating theories, rather than coherent theories
[Le Poidevin]
|
14988
|
A theory which doesn't fit nature is unexplanatory, even if it is true
[Sider]
|
17488
|
Empiricist theories are sets of laws, which give explanations and reductions
[Glennan]
|
20736
|
Science has to abstract out the subjective attributes of things, focusing on what is objective
[Aho]
|