Metodo

International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Series | Book | Chapter

210557

Research problems and the understanding of science

William Berkson

pp. 83-93

Abstract

Most of us learn of science first through text books, and these as a rule present their subjects — electricity, heat, etc. — as complete and empirically verified systems. This is not done dogmatically, in that open problems are sometimes noted in passing, or limitations are implicitly admitted by labelling their subject matter as "Classical" or as "Introductory". The students who go on to research find themselves immersed in quite a different world. They are first of all required to find a research problem — a place where science is incomplete or unclear — and they become aware that there are, in their field, contending programs for research — different ideas about what is important and what direction research should take. Those things which, in the text-books, seemed on the periphery of science now become central to it.

Publication details

Published in:

Nersessian Nancy J. (1987) The process of science: contemporary philosophical approaches to understanding scientific practice. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 83-93

DOI: 10.1007/978-94-009-3519-8_4

Full citation:

Berkson William (1987) „Research problems and the understanding of science“, In: N. J. Nersessian (ed.), The process of science, Dordrecht, Springer, 83–93.