Some practical issues in the recent controversy on the nature of scientific revolutions

William Berkson

pp. 197-210

in: Robert S. Cohen, Mark W. Wartofsky (eds), Methodological and historical essays in the natural and social sciences, Berlin, Springer, 1974

Abstract

Do questions like Novakovic's have any practical importance? Does it matter whether the transition from one theory to another is slow or quick, continuous or discontinuous? One might think that the only question of practical importance is whether the new theory is better than the old. Yet thinkers with most intense concern for practical questions have discussed the issue. And the discussions have been heated. Why is this?