Study Guide: Concept 1 — Rescuing Rationality

Core Concept

Popper's logic fails history (great science ignored refutations); Kuhn's history seems to abandon logic ("mob psychology"). Lakatos's project: rationality that fits the actual record — by appraising series of theories over time, not single theories at moments.

Key Terms

Demarcation · naive falsificationism · rational reconstruction · trajectory appraisal

Case Summary

Newton's programme: born refuted, lived in anomalies, most successful ever. Any rulebook that condemns it condemns itself.

Application Checklist

• [ ] Recast one "is X dead?" debate as a trajectory question
• [ ] List a framework's last three versions before judging it
• [ ] Separate today's embarrassments from the growth curve

Self-Test

1. What does Popper get wrong about history? Kuhn about rationality?
2. Why must appraisal target series of theories?
3. What was at stake in demarcation for Lakatos?