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The Nature of Science

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Is Science Progressive?

Part of the book series: Synthese Library ((SYLI,volume 177))

Abstract

»One of the most wonderful features of reasoning» is its tendency »to correct itself, and the more so the more wisely its plan is laid». These words from the 1898 essay ’Methods for Attaining the Truth’ summarize Charles Peirce’s vision of science as a »self-corrective process»1 — which still is one of the most pertinent attempts to characterize science and the scientific method. It helps us to clarify the sense in which features such as objectivity, critical attitude, autonomy, and progress belong to the nature of science.

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© 1984 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Niiniluoto, I. (1984). The Nature of Science. In: Is Science Progressive?. Synthese Library, vol 177. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1978-0_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-1978-0_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-90-481-8404-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-017-1978-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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