Idea of Incommensurability
What is Incommensurability?
In philosophy of science, incommensurability refers to the idea that some scientific theories cannot be directly compared because they use different concepts, methods, or standards of truth. The term was popularized by Thomas Kuhn and Paul Feyerabend.
Meaning and Implications
- When two theories are incommensurable, scientists working within them may not even agree on what counts as evidence or a valid explanation.
- For example, the terms used in Newtonian physics and Einstein’s relativity theory are so different that they cannot be translated perfectly into each other.
Importance in Science
- Challenges the idea of steady, cumulative scientific progress.
- Suggests that scientific revolutions involve a change in worldview, not just an improvement in knowledge.
Conclusion
The idea of incommensurability shows that science is not always straightforward. It involves shifts in thinking where old and new ideas may not fit together neatly, leading to deeper philosophical questions.