the encyclopedic entry of Protoscience

Dictionary Thesaurus Word Dynamo Quotes Reference Translator Spanish

Protoscience

Protoscience refers to historical philosophical disciplines which existed prior to the development of scientific method, which allowed them to develop into science proper (see prescientific). A standard example is that of alchemy which later became chemistry, or that of astrology which later became astronomy.

By extension, "protoscience" may be used in reference to any "set of beliefs or theories that have not yet been tested adequately by the scientific method but which are otherwise consistent with existing science, [thus being] a new science working to establish itself as legitimate science".

History of the term

The philosopher of science Thomas Kuhn first used the word in an essay, originally published in 1970:

List of examples

References

Citations and notes General information

H Holcomb, Moving Beyond Just-So Stories: Evolutionary Psychology as Protoscience. Skeptic Magazine, 1996.
D Hartmann, Protoscience and Reconstruction. Journal of General Philosophy of Science, 1996.
R Tuomela, Science, Protoscience and Pseudoscience. Rational Changes in Science.
JA Campbell, On artificial intelligence. Artificial Intelligence Review, 1986.
G Kennedy, Psychoanalysis: Protoscience and Metapsychology. 1959.
AC Maffei, Psychoanalysis: Protoscience Or Science?. 1969.
N Psarros, The Constructive Approach to the Philosophy of Chemistry. Epistemologia, 1995.