The Truthfulness of Empirical Methods According to Delanty & Strydom - Admission/Application Essay Example

Kuhn holds the belief that epistemology is compatible with science as in the case that naturalism draws upon ideas from psychology (Gary et. al, 2012). From epistemology, Kuhn would apply scientific data to the empirical data or else undermine the empirical method so as to show the non-naturalistic assumptions. Therefore Thomas Kuhn would be in agreement with Popper’s statement in this case. Willard Van Orman Quine, on the other hand, would not be in agreement with Popper’s statement.

He holds in the belief that substantive and cooperative naturalisms and replacements are what replace traditional epistemology (Gary et. al, 2012). He does not need to expose empirical systems to ‘the fiercest struggle for survival’ but rather analyze the facts or theories such that if there is a story that can be created about something, then there is a truth in the story (Gary et. al, 2012). Quine gives an example that if people were to talk of the existence of a Pegasus, then there should be descriptions such as it is a winged creature so that it can be said that people are not talking about anything.

There seem to be different ways in which to test the truthfulness of empirical methods. Whatever the means, it seems philosophers will continue to have divided opinions as to how to carry out such testing.