Structuralism (philosophy of science)

The structuralist theory concept or science Theoretical structuralism ( not to be confused with the " linguistic " structuralism ), is a system developed since the early 1970s, the theory of science research program, in which, departed from the traditional concept of theory, who regards theories as pure sets of propositions. This position is also called non- statement view. The term " structuralist theory concept " was introduced by Yehoshua Bar - Hillel.

Theory concept

In epistemological structuralism theory is regarded as a purely linguistic structures not consisting of a mathematical structure defining core model class, the intended applications of a data set and a Approximationsapparat. The core structure is consistent as a mathematical model by definition. In addition, the structural core itself generally little or no empirical content and is thus largely immune to falsification. Empirical content receives a theory only by the introduction of special laws and links to other theories ( theory of networks). The set of intended applications can be modified when derived empirical statements (special laws) out to be false upon this data.

As a universal language of empirical science applies structuralism set theory. A theory can be represented in reduced form by the core and the set of intended applications:

The core is made of the quantities of the model theory.

Balzer defines the structure of the theory as the quadruple:

Is a class of models, a lot of intended systems, a set of data structures and a Approximationsapparat.

An example: the classic shock mechanics ( KSM)

The classical collision mechanics provides a frequently quoted ( for example, in or in ) and straightforward example.

Is a model of a classical collision mechanics ( ie ) if the following conditions are met: There are a lot of particles P, two specific points in time, the velocity is denoted by v, and mass m. Thus our model is the following:

The first line describes that our model x consists of the components mentioned. The second row is then indicated that there are at least two particles. It is supposed to be a collision. The third line calls then that there are two different from each other, ordered time points. Where precisely is the second after the first. In the fourth line, a figure for the velocity is then given. and in the fifth the figure for the masses. The key is now the sixth line, because here's the really rich in content ratio of mass, velocity, and location will be described at both time points and the momentum conservation law.

History

Although originally developed for the epistemological justification of physical theories, many non- physical theories have been reconstructed within the epistemological structuralism before.

Significant contributions came from Patrick Suppes, Joseph D. Sneed, Stegmüller, Carlos Ulises Moulines and Wolfgang Balzer. Similar research programs, which are sometimes also classified under epistemological structuralism, were also developed by Günther Ludwig Erhard and disc.

In psychology, the approach of Rainer Westermann ( Greifswald) and Willi Hager ( Göttingen) was made and promoted known in Germany.

Stimulus for the development of structuralist theory approach was firstly described by Thomas Kuhn historical development of the sciences and, secondly, the problem of theoretical terms.