Epistemological Comparison of Rational Disagreement in Kuhn and Feyerabend Viewpoints

Document Type : Original Research

Author
J. Abdollahi
Department of Philosophy of Science, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
10.58209/jpt.3.4.357
Abstract
I examine the characteristics and justifications of rational disagreement in science. It explores the relationship between the justification of rational disagreement in science and the justification of rational disagreement in the epistemology of disagreement, specifically religious disagreement. In this regard, I focus on the views of two famous philosophers of science from the second half of the 20th century, namely Thomas Kuhn and Paul Feyerabend. The views of these two philosophers on rational disagreement in science can be seen as significant, concrete, and tangible examples of the main approaches in the epistemology of (religious) disagreement, in which rational religious disagreement is justified. I bring together insights from both epistemology and philosophy of science and show reflection on disagreement in science can improve our intuitive understanding of rational disagreement in epistemology. To better understand the existing approaches in epistemology, I utilize intuitive ideas found in rational disagreement in science.

Keywords

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Philosophical Thought
Volume 3, Issue 4 - Serial Number 12
Autumn 2023
Pages 357-378