From Theory-Nets to Constellations of Theory-Elements: Scientific Practices in Population Ecology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48160/18532330me1.53Keywords:
theory-nets, theoretical constellations, structuralist metatheory, population ecology, scientific practicesAbstract
The structuralist metatheory conceives scientific theories as networks consisting of theory-elements that have the same conceptual structures and are connected by specialization relations. Moreover, the structuralist Ansatz postulates that a considerable part ofscientific practice aims at elaborating the basic elements of such nets by adding morespecialized theory-elements. Thereby structuralism considers the core elements of a theory as a paradigm that guides its further evolution, and the normal practice of a theory is conceived as the addition of new theory-elements to already existing nets. The basic thesis of this paper contends that the pattern of scientific activity in population ecology is different, since it is common to use theory-elements from distinct nets. In order to take into account these practices the concept of “theoretical constellation” is introduced intending to capture the idea of an epistemic unification of theory-elements that come from different nets.
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