Kuhn and Taxonomies of History  

作　　者：Andrew Gregory 

机构地区：[1]Ph.D., Department of Science and Technology Studies, University College London, UK

出　　处：《Journal of Philosophy Study》2013年第5期412-430,共19页哲学研究（英文版）

摘　　要：This paper introduces the idea that if theories of history generate different taxonomies of history they too are incommensurable. I argue this is unavoidable for Kuhn given what he says about incommensurability and 1 investigate the consequences in relation to reflexivity, justification, and paradox for Kuhn＇s account of science. I want to do this on two levels, firstly looking at different possibilities for characterising individual paradigms. I will look at some examples from ancient and early modem astronomy as here it is clearest that paradigms can be characterised in different ways and that this has important consequences. I will argue in particular that Kuhn＇s characterisation of the paradigm for astronomy which emerges from antiquity （geocentrism） is favourable to his general account of the history of science, but that there is a very plausible and extremely damaging alternative. I argue that these differing characterisations generate differing, incommensurable taxonomies of the history of astronomy, with attendant ＂local holism,＂ untranslatability of key terms and issues of theory choice. If so, Kuhn then has problems with generating an adequate decision making protocol for choosing between the two paradigm characterisations. That is problematic in itself, but I also argue this problem is systemic and affects the evidence needed for Kuhn to justify his general account of the history of science. I also want to investigate the implications of differing taxonomies of the history of science at a more abstract level. Kuhn＇s general theory of the history of science generates a taxonomy of the history of science, as do other theories such as those of Popper and of gradualism. If so, the incommensurability involved here, again with attendant ＂local holism,＂ untranslatability of key terms and issues of theory choice, leads to issues of paradox and justification for Kuhn＇s general account of the history of science. With this broader understanding of taxonomic issues, some important Kuhn statemen

关 键 词：Kuhn taxonomy POPPER INCOMMENSURABILITY ＂local holism ＂ theory choice Kuhn Cycle ASTRONOMY 

分 类 号：N02[自然科学总论—科学技术哲学] TP301.6[自动化与计算机技术—计算机系统结构]