Science, Part I: Basic Conceptions of Science and the Scientific Method
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Science, Part I: Basic Conceptions of Science and the Scientific Method. / Hjørland, Birger.
In: Knowledge Organization, Vol. 48, No. 7-8, 06.05.2021, p. 473-498.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Science, Part I:
T2 - Basic Conceptions of Science and the Scientific Method
AU - Hjørland, Birger
PY - 2021/5/6
Y1 - 2021/5/6
N2 - This article is the first in a trilogy about the concept “science”. Section 1 considers the historical development of the meaning of the term science and shows its close relation to the terms “knowledge” and “philosophy”. Section 2 presents four historic phases in the basic conceptualizations of science (1) science as representing absolute certain of knowledge based on deductive proof; (2) science as representing absolute certain of knowledge based on “the scientific method”; (3) science as representing fallible knowledge based on “the scientific method”; (4) science without a belief in “the scientific method” as constitutive, hence the question about the nature of science becomes dramatic. Section 3 presents four basic understandings of the scientific method: Rationalism, which gives priority to a priori thinking; empiricism, which gives priority to the collection, description, and processing of data in a neutral way; historicism, which gives priority to the interpretation of data in the light of “paradigm” and pragmatism, which emphasizes the analysis of the purposes, consequences, and the interests of knowledge. The second article in the trilogy focus on different fields studying science, while the final article presets further developments in the concept of science and the general conclusion. Overall, the trilogy illuminates the most important tensions in different conceptualizations of science and argues for the role of information science and knowledge organization in the study of science and suggests how “science” should be understood as an object of research in these fields.
AB - This article is the first in a trilogy about the concept “science”. Section 1 considers the historical development of the meaning of the term science and shows its close relation to the terms “knowledge” and “philosophy”. Section 2 presents four historic phases in the basic conceptualizations of science (1) science as representing absolute certain of knowledge based on deductive proof; (2) science as representing absolute certain of knowledge based on “the scientific method”; (3) science as representing fallible knowledge based on “the scientific method”; (4) science without a belief in “the scientific method” as constitutive, hence the question about the nature of science becomes dramatic. Section 3 presents four basic understandings of the scientific method: Rationalism, which gives priority to a priori thinking; empiricism, which gives priority to the collection, description, and processing of data in a neutral way; historicism, which gives priority to the interpretation of data in the light of “paradigm” and pragmatism, which emphasizes the analysis of the purposes, consequences, and the interests of knowledge. The second article in the trilogy focus on different fields studying science, while the final article presets further developments in the concept of science and the general conclusion. Overall, the trilogy illuminates the most important tensions in different conceptualizations of science and argues for the role of information science and knowledge organization in the study of science and suggests how “science” should be understood as an object of research in these fields.
U2 - 10.5771/0943-7444-7-8-473
DO - 10.5771/0943-7444-7-8-473
M3 - Journal article
VL - 48
SP - 473
EP - 498
JO - Knowledge Organization
JF - Knowledge Organization
SN - 0943-7444
IS - 7-8
ER -
ID: 259621776