Norwood Russell Hanson

Norwood Russell Hanson (* 1924, † 1967) was an American philosopher of science and professor of philosophy of science at Yale University. He was a representative of epistemic holism.

"Theory ladenness " of observations

In his book "Patterns of Discovery ", he argued that "seeing" is not simply the sum of the percepts ( sense impressions ) that are generated from the retina of the eye. See always includes a strong conceptual component ( see also top-down and bottom-up ) is always theory-laden. In fact, today it is known that the lateral geniculate nucleus afferents from the far more, as has efferents to the cortex. An example of this message are radiographs. The doctor makes with its aid statements about the inner state of the patient. The patient himself - as a layman - seen on radiographs comparatively little. Hanson led to numerous other examples, especially from Gestalt psychology, but also from everyday life. This Hanson rejects the objection, observations would "interpreted" in retrospect. According to Hanson perception and interpretation are inseparable. Another example: For the Europeans, Chinese or Arabic characters - without adequate language skills - nothing more than an incomprehensible collection of strokes on paper.

Thomas Kuhn grabbed Hanson's approach.

Publications

• Patterns of discovery (1958 )
• Constellations and conjectures, 1973
• Observation and explanation, 1971
• What I do not believe, and other essays, 1971