English

Rethinking the scientific enterprise: in defense of reductionism

History and Philosophy of Physics 2018-05-24 v1 Quantum Physics

Abstract

In this essay, I argue that modern science is not the dichotomous pairing of theory and experiment that it is typically presented as, and I offer an alternative paradigm defined by its functions as a human endeavor. I also demonstrate how certain scientific debates, such as the debate over the nature of the quantum state, can be partially resolved by this new paradigm.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1301.0366,
  title  = {Rethinking the scientific enterprise: in defense of reductionism},
  author = {Ian T. Durham},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1301.0366},
  year   = {2018}
}

Comments

Fourth Prize, 2012 FQXi Essay Contest, "Questioning the Foundations"; 7 pages + references