Document Type : Research Paper
Author
Department of Philosophy of Science ,Sharif University of Technology
Abstract
The problem of underdetermination is one of the most important problems that rise in the process of theory-choice among equivalent theories. In this paper, I examine the notion of equivalence from logical, evidential, theoretical and experimental aspects, and discuss three thesis on underdetermination: weak, strong and stronger underdetermination. I present what should be taken as the appropriate approach to theory choice, given that any of these three kinds of underdetermination occurs. Based on the history of science and also reasonable method, it is concluded that if weak and strong underdetermination occur in actual scientific enterprise, one can prefer a theory over other equivalents with regard to fertility merit of the theory
Keywords
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