Abstract
The nature of scientific theory has been an exclusive domain of philosophy. Nevertheless, scientific concepts and theories may be conceived as conventional stimulus objects or entities with which individual scientists constantly interact. In the case of psychology, it seems especially necessary to examine the assumptions and characteristics of theories and concepts, because, as Wittgenstein (1953) pointed out:
The confusion and barrenness of psychology is not to be explained by calling it a “young science”; its state is not comparable with that of physics, for instance, in its beginnings. (Rather with that of certain branches of mathematics. Set theory.) For in psychology there are experimental methods and conceptual confusion. (As in the other case conceptual confusion and methods of proof.) (p. 232)
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Ribes-Iñesta, E. (2003). Concepts and Theories. In: Lattal, K.A., Chase, P.N. (eds) Behavior Theory and Philosophy. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-4590-0_8
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