UDC

167.7

Authors

Aleksey V. Oboturov
Vologda State University; ul. Orlova 6, Vologda, 160035, Russian Federation;
e-mail: oboturov_a@mail.ru

Abstract

This article analyses the role and importance of the consensual approach as well as the consensus-dissensus and convention-discussion ratios in the justification of objectivity and validity of scientific theories. The author provides a characteristic of traditional epistemology, focused on the priority of empirical, inductive methods, which consider convention to be a project of rationality, logical correctness, practical applicability, and lack of competing theories. Further, the paper shows the importance of the ideas of critical rationalism of K. Popper and representatives of postpositivism in overcoming empirical inductivism, in formulating key problems of nonclassical theory of knowledge, in the methodology of pluralism, under-determination of theory by empirical data, incommensurability of competing theories and counternormative conduct of scientists, as well as in the mutual understanding between the parties discussing the development of research programmes. Having analysed the works of postpositivists, the author proves that their views cannot be qualified as the position of one-sided irrationalism and relativism, which explore, in the context of nonclassical epistemology, the problem of relative autonomy of theoretical science and generally accepted methodology. Moreover, the paper shows that T. Kuhn’s arguments about the need to translate incommensurable theories from one language to another, P. Feyerabend’s expansion of the limit of scientific theories and his use of the methods of “epistemological anarchism” and proliferation, as well as I. Lakatos’ conceptualization of research programme methodology and heuristic potential played a positive role in the discussion of key problems of validation of scientific theories, especially during the scientific revolutions. The author points out that modern researchers turn to postpositivist conceptions not due to simple interest in the analysis of the problems of 20th-century philosophy of science, but due to the increasing potential of conventional methodological strategy, particularly within the humanities and social sciences, as the basis of the constructive-prognostic, communicative, and consensual process of scientific knowledge and activity.

Keywords

philosophy of science, consensual approach, convention, consensus, dissensus, incommensurable theories, underdetermination, counternormative, limit of fundamental theories, pluralistic methodology

References

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