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SUMMARY:Phlogiston revisited: an argument for scientific pluralism - Hasok
  Chang (University College London)
DTSTART:20081120T163000Z
DTEND:20081120T180000Z
UID:TALK14113@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Lauren Kassell
DESCRIPTION:Through a re-examination of the Chemical Revolution\, I advanc
 e an argument for pluralism in and about science. My assessment of the Che
 mical Revolution\, made on the basis of a comprehensive list of epistemic 
 values\, returns the verdict that there was no compelling rational reason 
 for 18th-century chemists to discard the phlogiston theory. I then examine
  the benefits that could have (or could still) come from retaining or revi
 ving phlogiston. Finally I sketch some general arguments for scientific pl
 uralism\, drawing a comparison and contrast with relativism.
LOCATION:Seminar Room 2\, History and Philosophy of Science\, Department o
 f
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