1995 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
Narratological Analysis of Sciences and the concept of Truth and Being
| Project/Area Number |
06610003
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for General Scientific Research (C)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Research Field |
Philosophy
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| Research Institution | Tohoku University |
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Principal Investigator |
NOE Keiichi Tohoku Univ., Dept. of LITERATURE,pROF, 文学部, 教授 (40103220)
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| Project Period (FY) |
1994 – 1995
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| Keywords | narratology / metaphor / analogy / biohistory / scientific truth / theoretical entity / rhetoric / cosmology |
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| Research Abstract |
The concept of "narratology" stemed from a theory of literary criticism. But recently it is applied to the field of historiography and produces successful results. The aim of my inqury is to apply this method to the field of philosophy of science and to elucidate the structure of scientific theories.
The traditional philosophy of science has focused its concern mostly on the logical aspect or deductive structure of theories. On the other hand, rhetorical elements in scientific theoris has been almost neglected. But such rhetorical elements as "metaphor" and "analogy" in scientific theories often play an important role in a period of "scientific revolutions"where so-called theory-changes take place. My research project tries to analyze the function of "metaphor" and "analogy" which support a framework of scientific theories through the conceptual device of "narratology" and to throw some light on the very concept of "scientific truth" and "theoretical entity." The consideration falls into following two parts.
First, I proved that not only logical inference but also rhetorical elements are indispensable to the formation of scientific hypothesis by means of analysing the covering-law model of scientific explanation (Hempel-Oppenheim model). From such a point of view, we can reevaluate Francis Bacon's philosophy of science as a predecessor of the "narratology of science."
Secondly, the narratological structure of science is reflected in the double meaning of cosmology, i. e. the scientific concept and the cultural concept. The latter is closely connected with out "order of life."I try to rehabilitate the cultural concept of cosmology and to reconsider the situation of contemporary sciences.
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