FEYERABEND’S ALTERNATIVE THEORIES WITHIN GOODMAN’S WORLDMAKING

• Authors: Fišerová Nicole
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

The main purpose of this paper is to compare two pluralistic approaches to knowledge, Goodman’s theory of worldmaking and Feyerabend’s methodological anarchism. It therefore examines firstly, the concept of world-versions, which according to Goodman create our worlds and at the same time are crucial for achieving a better understanding of reality; and secondly, the concept of alter- native theories which are built upon pluralism and, according to Feyerabend, secure knowledge and make scientific progress possible. Feyerabend’s concept has been rejected by many, seemingly for its lack of limitations. In line with this argument, I propose that based on the comparison of these two pluralistic approaches, the alternative theories can be understood as a part of worldmaking, for Goodman’s theory has wider applicability since it encompasses not only science but also art. Furthermore, I suggest adopting Goodman’s principle of rightness, the criterion of functionality in his worldmaking, as a criterion within Feyerabend’s methodological anarchism when establishing the prevailing theory. It is to be expected that such a juxta position will uncover inconsistencies, in particular regarding boundless relativism and the vague terminology in both conceptions.

Keywords

EN

ALTERNATIVE THEORIES; METHODOLOGICAL ANARCHISM; GOODMAN NELSON; FEYERABEND PAUL; PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE; THEORY OF SYMBOLS; WORLD MAKING

• Publisher: Institute of Philosophy of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and Institute of Philosophy of Academy of Sciences of Czech Republic
• Journal: Organon F. medzinárodný časopis pre analytickú filozofiu
• Year: 2020
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 302 – 324

Contributors

author

Fišerová Nicole

• Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, University of West Bohemia, Sedláčkova 19, 306 14 Plzeň, Czech Republic

Identifiers

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31577/orgf.2020.27302