The Role of Data in Theoretical Conflicts

FAIN: FB-12138-74

Gerald D. Doppelt
Regents of the University of California, San Diego (La Jolla, CA 92093-0013)

To clarify and evaluate the role of data in theoretical conflicts through a detailed study of its adequacy for one case of revolution in physical science (Galileo), the conflict between behaviorist and "verstehen" theorists in social science, and conflicts in literary critical (Hamlet). The focus is upon Kuhn's argument against the existence of shared perceptual data in theoretical conflict in physical science (The Structure of Scientific Revolution). The need to integrate philosophical paradigms of perception, rationality, validity or data with concrete materials and problems in other disciplines is dealt with in this study.