Using History as Evidence in Philosophy of Science
A Methodological Critique
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4504744 |
|---|---|
| Authors | James W Mcallister (Leiden University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2018 |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 239-258 |
| Publication date | 2018-08-08 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of the Philosophy of History (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1872-261X • E-ISSN: 1872-2636 |
| Publisher | Walter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE) |
| DOI | 10.1163/18722636-12341384 |
| OpenAlex | W2769343019 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 18 |
This article offers a critical review of past attempts and possible methods to test philosophical models of science against evidence from history of science. Drawing on methodological debates in social science, I distinguish between quantitative and qualitative approaches. I show that both have their uses in history and philosophy of science, but that many writers in this domain have misunderstood and misapplied these approaches, and especially the method of case studies. To test scientific realism, for example, quantitative methods are more effective than case studies. I suggest that greater methodological clarity would enable the project of integrated history and philosophy of science to make renewed progress
CLARITY · Domain (mathematical analysis · Epistemology · History of science · Philosophy of computer science · Philosophy of history · Philosophy of science · Social science · Sociology · Test (biology · Western philosophy · Chemistry · History and Philosophy of Science · History of Science and Medicine · Mathematics · Philosophy · Philosophy and History of Science · Science and Climate Studies · Ecology
Little Science, Big Science
History of Science and its Rational Reconstructions
A case study in explanatory power
Is Science Really a Young Man's Game
Quantity and Quality in Social Research
Historical inductions, Old and New
Scientific change
Scientific revolutions and the explosion of scientific evidence
The re-emergence of hyphenated history-and-philosophy-of-science and the testing of theories of scientific change
Reconsidering the Fresnel–Maxwell theory shift
Narrative and evidence. How can case studies from the history of science support claims in the philosophy of science
Theory Change and Degrees of Success
Realist Ennui and the Base Rate Fallacy
Case Studies
Integrating History and Philosophy of Science
If p, then what? Thinking in cases
Computational Perspectives in the History of Science
States and Social Revolutions
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,6 |
| Citation span | 2021 - 2025 (5) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |