Abstract
An instructive model for the philosopher interested in scientific method is a novel entitled Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. The narrator (who is a dropout from Mortimer Adler’s program at the University of Chicago) stresses the importance of good external and internal working conditions: Loud music is distracting; you will need good light and room to lay out your tools; if you are feeling impatient, knock off for the day — or at the very least, don’t attempt a sensitive job; try to remain flexible in your diagnosis of what is wrong; investigate various alternatives in a systematic way.
Earlier versions of this paper were presented to the Thyssen Foundation Workshop, July 6–13, 1975 and the Philosophy Seminar of the University of Kentucky, December 4, 1975. Both discussions were very helpful.
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© 1978 D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, Holland
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Koertge, N. (1978). Towards a New Theory of Scientific Inquiry. In: Radnitzky, G., Andersson, G. (eds) Progress and Rationality in Science. Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science, vol 58. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-9866-7_11
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