Indices of Theory Promise
- 1 December 1992
- journal article
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in Philosophy of Science
- Vol. 59 (4) , 612-634
- https://doi.org/10.1086/289698
Abstract
Figuring prominently in their decisions regarding which theories to pursue are scientists' appeals to the promise or lack of promise of those theories. Yet philosophy of science has had little to say about how one is to assess theory promise. This essay identifies several indices that might be consulted to determine whether or not a theory is promising and worthy of pursuit. Various historical examples of appeals to such indices are introduced.Keywords
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