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Single Idea 18971

[filed under theme 14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 2. Aim of Science ]

Full Idea

Theories are instruments, not answers to enigmas, in which we can rest. We don't lie back upon them, we move forward, and, on occasion, make nature over again by their aid. Pragmatism unstiffens all our theories, limbers them up and sets each one to work.

Gist of Idea

Theories are practical tools for progress, not answers to enigmas

Source

William James (Pragmatism - eight lectures [1907], Lec 2)

Book Ref

James,William: 'Pragmatism - eight lectures' [Dover 1995], p.21

A Reaction

This follows his criticism of the quest for 'solving names' - big words that give bogus solutions to problems. James's view is not the same as 'instrumentalism', though he would probably sympathise with that view. The defines theories badly.

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]