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Work #437 · Early

Patterns of Discovery

Norwood Russell Hanson
1958 · English
Philosophy of science · Anglo-American post-Wittgensteinian philosophy of science

Hanson's 1958 foundational work on the theory-ladenness of observation in science

Attribute Fingerprint

Rows where works disagree are highlighted in gold. The full ontology grid is shown.

Attribute Patterns of Discovery (Early)
Time · Extent Infinite
Time · Ontological Status Substantival
Time · Grain Continuous
Time · Freedom Non-Deterministic
Time · Traversability Linear
Time · Dimensionality One
Time · Direction Uni-directional
Space · Extent Infinite
Space · Ontological Status Substantival
Space · Curvature Flat
Space · Dimensionality Three
Space · Locality Local
Matter · Extent Infinite
Matter · Ontological Status Substantival
Matter · Conservation Conserved
Matter · Dimensionality Three
Matter · Locality Local
Observer · Time Instance Single
Observer · Space Instance Single
Observer · Knowledge Extent Partial
Observer · Knowledge Retainment Total
Observer · Physicality Embodied
Observer · Agency Both
Observer · Number Plural
Observer · Metaphysical Agency None
Observer · Moral Authority Reason
Observer · Theological Method
Energy · Extent Infinite
Energy · Ontological Status Substantival
Energy · Conservation Conserved
Energy · Dispersibility Irreversible
Information · Ontological Status Substantival
Information · Cosmic Conservation Conserved
Information · Personal Conservation Conserved
Information · Granularity Continuous

Dimension-by-Dimension Evidence

What each work's passages reveal about its stance on each of the six dimensions.

Time

Patterns of Discovery

The historical time of scientific discovery.

Space

Patterns of Discovery

The space of theory-laden observation.

Matter

Patterns of Discovery

The observed material world.

Observer

Patterns of Discovery

The theory-laden scientific observer.

Energy

Patterns of Discovery

Energies of theory-laden seeing.

Information

Patterns of Discovery

Foundational theory-ladenness framework.

Internal Tensions

Where each work's argument pulls against itself.

Patterns of Discovery

Hanson's theory-ladenness in continuing dialogue with realist accounts of observation.