Could Science be Interestingly Different?
: Veli Virmajoki
Publisher: Brill
: 2018
: Journal of the Philosophy of History
: 12
: 1
: 303
: 324
: 22
: 1872-261X
: 1872-2636
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/18722636-12341388
: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/30163248
In this paper, I investigate the issue of the contingency and inevitability of science. First, I point out valuable insights from the existing discussion about the issue. I then formulate a general framework, built on the notion of contrastive explanation and counterfactuals, that can be used to approach questions of contingency of science. I argue, with an example from the existing historiography of science, that this framework could be useful to historians of science. Finally, I argue that this framework shows the existing views on historical contingency and counterfactuals in a new light. The framework also shows the value of existing historiography in philosophical debates.