工具主义能实现科学方法论的自然化吗?——论规范自然主义方法论的发展前景与问题

Can Instrumentalism Realize the Naturalization of Scientific Methodology?

规范自然主义的主张意味着认识论的强自然化特点。在劳丹看来这种极强的"描述性"方法论将会产生规范化的效果,但从理论的结果来看,科学方法论的自然化或经验化却往往导致取消主义或者是相对主义。为克服这种理论倾向,劳丹强调要从工具主义角度来理解科学的合理性,即把科学的手段与目标联系起来,通过假言命令的形式,方法论成为经验知识的一部分。可是,劳丹通过工具主义来实现方法论自然化和规范化的统一的努力还存在很多问题,他忽视了工具主义论证背后的认识论因素,科学哲学方法论走纯粹的工具化路线是行不通的。

Laudan admitted the rationality of normative method,but normative naturalism means epistemology can both discharge normative role and claim a sensitivity to empirical evidence.It motivates many forms of relativism or eliminativism;in order to overcome these problems,he proposed that we can scientifically investigate the instrumental value that beliefs,cognitive processes and scientific methodology have in achieving our ends.In this paper I argue that his accounts of science＇s rationality fail,and consequently that normative naturalism fails as well.