Central and East European
Society for Phenomenology

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234268

Systematicity and the continuity thesis

K. Brad Wray

pp. 819-832

Abstract

Hoyningen-Huene (Systematicity: the nature of science, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2013) develops an account of what science is, distinguishing it from common sense. According to Hoyningen-Huene, the key distinguishing feature is that science is more systematic. He identifies nine ways in which science is more systematic than common sense. I compare Hoyningen-Huene’s view to a view I refer to as the “Continuity Thesis.” The Continuity Thesis states that scientific knowledge is just an extension of common sense. This thesis is associated with Quine, Planck, and others. I argue that Hoyningen-Huene ultimately rejects the Continuity Thesis, and I present further evidence to show that the Continuity Thesis is false. I also argue that it is the systematicity of science that ultimately grounds the epistemic authority of science. Hoyningen-Huene thus draws attention to an important feature of science that explains the place of science in contemporary society.

Publication details

Published in:

Lohse Simon, Bschir Karim, Chang Hasok (2019) Systematicity. Synthese 196 (3).

Pages: 819-832

DOI: 10.1007/s11229-016-1088-y

Full citation:

Wray K. Brad (2019) „Systematicity and the continuity thesis“. Synthese 196 (3), 819–832.