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Paul Feyerabend
Paul Feyerabend was Born January 13th of 1924 in Vienna, Austria. Feyerabend attended primary and high school in Vienna. He also developed an interest in theatre and began singing lessons, as well as reading. Feyerabend was one of the most important and popular philosophers from the 1950's to the 1980's. He contributed several key ideas and components to the philosophy community for more than 30 years. He was also a teacher and student in several countries including Austria, Germany, and more. -
Introduction of Incommensurability
In 1962, Thomas Kuhn and Paul Feyerabend came up with the idea of incommensurability. They stated that in certain comparisons there are no empirically common meanings between the 2 subjects in comparison. The idea of incommensurability was introduced due to an issue with development and interpretation of successive scientific theories. It enables the idea of a neutral language of comparison as well as an ability to choose theories with the most empirically sound content. -
Citations (pt1)
-New World Encyclopedia. “Paul Feyerabend.” Paul Feyerabend - New World Encyclopedia, New World Encyclopedia, www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Paul_Feyerabend.
-Dilworth G. (1986) Kuhn, Feyerabend, and Incommensurability. In: Scientific Progress. Synthese Library (Studies in Epistemology, Logic, Methodology, and Philosophy of Science), vol 153. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-2966-6_8 -
Incommensurability Today
Incommensurability today makes a huge difference in science. Without incommensurability there would be major misunderstanding in science. This would cause misinformation and invalid comparisons across fields with little to no relation empirically. What does this mean? Imagine trying to compare the lengths of a cubes sides to the diagonal of its faces. The idea of incommensurability was a game changer for philosophy and science and to this day helps us improve our understanding of the world. -
Video Citation
-Brown, Matthew J, director. Paul Feyerabend, The Case Against Method and Incommensurability. YouTube, YouTube, 4 Mar. 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjCiymye_fw.