Problems of the Science of Science [1946]

Abstract

Fleck argues that one can treat “science” like art in that the common nature of trends across different sub-types (e.g. music, painting, poetry) can be documented – though just as art is not a total sum of music, painting, poetry, so do sciences not “add up to form a consistent homogenous whole” (113). Furthermore, he arguments that a comparative method must be used to understand scientific thinking. He advocated for comparative epistemology because he felt change in science was more likely when people from different thought collectives work together in observing, formulating hypothesis, and comparing ideas.