Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/44555

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Title
Rational versus anti-rational interpretations of science: an ape-language case-study
Author/Creator
Farrell, Robert P.
Institution
The University of Newcastle. Faculty of Education & Arts, School of Humanities and Social Science
Description
Robert Nola (2003) has argued that anti-rationalist interpretations of science fail to adequately explain the process of science, since objective reasons can be causal factors in belief formation. While I agree with Nola that objective reasons can be a cause of belief, in this paper I present a version of the strong programme in the sociology of knowledge, the Interests Thesis, and argue that the Interests Thesis provides a plausible explanation of an episode in the history of ape-language research. Specifically, I examine Terrace, Petitto, Sandess, & Bever (1979, 1980) illegitimate comparison of the signing of their chimpanzee, Nim, with data from human early childhood language development, and argue that Terrace et al.’s interests played a causal role in determining their sceptical beliefs concerning ape linguistic abilities. However, I go on to argue that Terrace et al.’s interests are not the only causal factors in determining their beliefs: objective reasons, associated with the institution of new methodologies, were also causally determinative of Terrace et al.’s sceptical beliefs. Consequently, I argue that belief formation in science is a multi-factorial affair wherein both interests and objective reasons have causal roles. I finish the paper with two conjectures concerning the proper locus of scientific rationality.
Relation
Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part C: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 37, Issue 1, p. 83-100
Publisher Link
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsc.2005.12.006
Date
2006
Publisher
Elsevier
Keyword(s)
scientific rationality;  scientific methodology;  interests thesis;  ape language
Resource Type
journal article
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/44555
Identifier
ISSN:1369-8486
Reviewed
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Subject
"Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part C: Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences"
 
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