• DOI:10.1162/posc.2006.14.3.302
• Corpus ID: 57559578

Heuristic, Methodology or Logic of Discovery? Lakatos on Patterns of Thinking

@article{Kiss2006HeuristicMO,
  title={Heuristic, Methodology or Logic of Discovery? Lakatos on Patterns of Thinking},
  author={Olga Kiss},
  journal={Perspectives on Science},
  year={2006},
  volume={14},
  pages={302-317}
}

• O. Kiss
• Published 11 December 2006
• Philosophy
• Perspectives on Science

Heuristic is a central concept of Lakatos' philosophy both in his early works and in his later work, the methodology of scientific research programs (MSRP). The term itself, however, went through significant change of meaning. In this paper I study this change and the metaphysical commitments behind it. In order to do so, I turn to his mathematical heuristic elaborated in Proofs and Refutations. I aim to show the dialogical character of mathematical knowledge in his account, which can open a door to hermeneutic studies of mathematical practice.