If even in science there is no a way of judging a theory but by assessing the number, faith and vocal energy of its supporters, then this must be even more so in the social sciences: truth lies in power.

Quote by Imre Lakatos

Topics: Imre Lakatos Quotes

The clash between Popper and Kuhn is not about a mere technical point in epistemology.

The clash between Popper and Kuhn is not about a mere technical point in epistemology.

Our empirical criterion for a series of theories is that it should produce new facts....

Our empirical criterion for a series of theories is that it should produce new facts....

Blind commitment to a theory is not an intellectual virtue: it is an intellectual crime.

Blind commitment to a theory is not an intellectual virtue: it is an intellectual crime.

It would be wrong to assume that one must stay with a research programme until...

It would be wrong to assume that one must stay with a research programme until...

The positive heuristic of the programme saves the scientist from becoming confused by the ocean...

The positive heuristic of the programme saves the scientist from becoming confused by the ocean...

Indeed, this epistemological theory of the relation between theory and experiment differs sharply from the...

Indeed, this epistemological theory of the relation between theory and experiment differs sharply from the...

The classical example of a successful research programme is Newton's gravitational theory: possibly the most...

The classical example of a successful research programme is Newton's gravitational theory: possibly the most...

Einstein's results again turned the tables and now very few philosophers or scientists still think...

Einstein's results again turned the tables and now very few philosophers or scientists still think...

Research programmes, besides their negative heuristic, are also characterized by their positive heuristic.

Research programmes, besides their negative heuristic, are also characterized by their positive heuristic.

Philosophy of science without history of science is empty; history of science without philosophy of...

Philosophy of science without history of science is empty; history of science without philosophy of...

There is no falsification before the emergence of a better theory.

There is no falsification before the emergence of a better theory.