DIALECTICS OF SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS IN KARL POPPER, THOMAS KUHN, PAUL FEYERABEND AND IMRE LAKOTOS: A HERMENEUTIC STUDY.

From time immemorial, science and scientific theories have been in progress. This is so because since the creation of the universe mankind has been faced with multifaceted problems that require authentic solutions. To this end, many theories have kept on springing up in order to proffer solutions to those problems. Put in another way, so many theories have been expounded, all in a bid to take care of problems of mankind. However, these theories have given rise to such questions as; how do we account for scientific theories? How do we account for the truth and certainty of these theories? What method leads to scientific progress? In their various philosophies of science, Karl Popper, Thomas Kuhn, Paul Feyerabend and Imre Lakatos gave their account of the part to scientific progress. This study employs the method of Hermeneutics to explore the dialectical nature of those various accounts of scientific progress. The study highlights that the part to scientific progress is not a one way traffic endeavor; it involves some forms of dialectics in the sense that theories are contradicted and opposed. This contradiction and opposition in turn bring out the best in such theories or even give rise to a new superior theory. This study recommends that scientists and seekers of knowledge should equip themselves with the knowledge of the dialectical nature of science. When this is done, science would no doubt be immune from conventionalism and stereotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]