What is the Duhem-Quine problem?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Answer is The Duhem-Quine problem, also known as the Duhem-Quine thesis or underdetermination, is a philosophical problem concerning the testing of scientific hypotheses. It arises from the recognition that empirical evidence alone cannot determine which of a set of competing hypotheses is true, because the evidence is typically consistent with more than one hypothesis. The problem is named after the French physicist Pierre Duhem and the American philosopher Willard Van Orman Quine, who both contributed to the formulation and analysis of the problem.

The Duhem-Quine problem highlights two related issues:

1. **Holism in Testing**: According to Duhem, when a scientist tests a hypothesis, they are not testing it in isolation but rather in conjunction with a set of auxiliary assumptions and background theories. These auxiliary assumptions include things like the initial conditions, the correctness of the instruments, and the validity of the underlying theories. If the prediction derived from the hypothesis fails to match the experimental results, it is not clear whether the hypothesis itself is at fault or if one of the auxiliary assumptions is incorrect. This is known as the problem of holism in testing.

2. **Underdetermination of Theories by Data**: Quine extended Duhem's insight to all of human knowledge, arguing that our scientific theories are underdetermined by the empirical data. This means that for any given set of observations, there can be multiple theories that can account for the data, and empirical evidence alone cannot decide which one is correct. This underdetermination exists because one can always make adjustments to the auxiliary assumptions to save a favored theory from being falsified by the evidence.

The Duhem-Quine problem poses a challenge for the traditional view of the scientific method, which suggests that hypotheses can be conclusively tested against empirical evidence. It implies that scientific theories are not as firmly grounded in empirical evidence as one might think, and that the process of theory choice involves considerations that go beyond the empirical data, such as simplicity, coherence with other theories, and explanatory power.

In response to the Duhem-Quine problem, some philosophers and scientists argue for a more holistic and pragmatic approach to scientific testing and theory choice. They suggest that scientific progress is not a straightforward process of hypothesis testing but involves a complex interplay of theoretical and empirical considerations, where the scientific community plays a crucial role in determining which theories are accepted or rejected.

What Is the Duhem-Quine Problem