In
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions,
Kuhn argues that truth is neither absolute nor completely objective. Rather, truth is relative to a paradigm. Like any form of
relativism, the view that
truth is paradigm-relative faces the following dilemma:
Let p = 'truth is paradigm-relative'
- Either p is paradigm-relative or p is not paradigm-relative.
- If p is not paradigm-relative, then p is absolute and objective, and thus paradigm-relativism is false.
- If p is paradigm-relative, then there are no grounds on which to argue that p in the face of someone who doesn't already accept p.
- (Therefore) Either p is false or p is groundless.
What do you think about this argument? Does it deliver a fatal blow to Kuhnian paradigm-relativism?
No comments:
Post a Comment
This is an academic blog about critical thinking, logic, and philosophy. So please refrain from making insulting, disparaging, and otherwise inappropriate comments. Also, if I publish your comment, that does not mean I agree with it. Thanks for reading and commenting on my blog.