Issues in the Philosophy of Science

Abstract

In this chapter, we discuss the place of philosophy of science in the work of the local clinical scientist. Our goals are twofold. First, we provide the reader with basic background in philosophy of science so as to set a foundation for later discussion of the relationship between scientific methodologies and critical thinking in the professional psychologist. Second, we propose an extrapolation model that describes how philosophical analysis can be used to raise questions about the information a professional seeks in the local clinical situations. We use the term extrapolation as elaborated in the last chapter: It involves extending a concept beyond its existing domain of applicability into a new, or in our case, a more specific domain.

Psychology has never succeeded in taking philosophy to itself nor in leaving it alone.

—Boring (1929, p. 660)

Not knowing how near the truth is, people seek it far away,—what a pity!

—Zen Master Hakuin, in Suzuki (1960, p. 151)