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Ludwik Fleck and Contemporary Philosophy of Science

Publication at Faculty of Arts |
2010

Abstract

The paper aims at describing the theory of thought-styles and thought-collectives of Polish microbiologist, Ludwik Fleck. Fleck's theory is presented at first in the light of Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn.

Some similarities between the two thinkers are pointed out (e. g. use of incommensurability concept, reference to gestalt psychology, theory-ladenness of observation). Yet Fleck's views differs from Kuhn's in some important respects.

Contrary to the prevailing view, these differences preclude consideration of Fleck as a forerunner of Kuhn. For this reason, the paper mentions also possibility of presentation of Fleck's views in another context which is deemed more helpful: French epistemology (e. g.

Canguilhem, Hacking).