| K.R. Popper on problems. Conjectures and Refutations. |
[Aug. 3rd, 2003|11:19 pm] |
Admittedly, our expectations, and thus our theories, may precede, historically, even our problems. Yet science starts only wieth problems.(KRP) Problemns crop up especially when we are disappointed in our expectations, or when our theories involve us in difficulties, in contradictions; and these may arise either within a theory, or between two different theories, or as the result of a clashh between our theories and our observations. Moreover, it is only through a problem that we become conscious of holding a theory. It is the problem which challenges us to learn; to advance our knowledge; to experiment; and to observe.
Thus we may say that the most lasting contribution to the growth of scientific knowledge that a theory can make are the new problems which it raises, so that we are led back to the view of science and of th e growth of knowledge as starting from, and always ending with, problems - problems of an evr increasing depth, and an ever increasing fertility in suggesting new problems. |
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