The Classical Model of Science: a Millennia-Old Model of Scientific Rationality

W.R. de Jong, A. Betti

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

202 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Throughout more than two millennia philosophers adhered massively to ideal standards of scientific rationality going back ultimately to Aristotle's Analytica posteriora. These standards got progressively shaped by and adapted to new scientific needs and tendencies. Nevertheless, a core of conditions capturing the fundamentals of what a proper science should look like remained remarkably constant all along. Call this cluster of conditions the Classical Model of Science. In this paper we will do two things. First of all, we will propose a general and systematized account of the Classical Model of Science. Secondly, we will offer an analysis of the philosophical significance of this model at different historical junctures by giving an overview of the connections it has had with a number of important topics. The latter include the analytic-synthetic distinction, the axiomatic method, the hierarchical order of sciences and the status of logic as a science. Our claim is that particularly fruitful insights are gained by seeing themes such as these against the background of the Classical Model of Science. In an appendix we deal with the historiographical background of this model by considering the systematizations of Aristotle's theory of science offered by Heinrich Scholz, and in his footsteps by Evert W. Beth. © The Author(s) 2008.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)185-203
JournalSynthese
Volume174
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010

Bibliographical note

DOI: 10.1007/s11229-008-9423-6

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Classical Model of Science: a Millennia-Old Model of Scientific Rationality'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this