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2 results

  • Chapter 5 - Theory versus Non-theory–Based Explanation

  • Eric W. K. Tsang, University of Texas, Dallas
  • Book:
    Explaining Management Phenomena
    Published online:
    15 December 2022
    Print publication:
    22 December 2022, pp 146-166

  • Summary

    A valid explanation may not be based on any theory, and luck can be a valid explanation of certain business events. Regression to the mean suggests that good performance (probably due to good luck) is likely to be followed by decline whereas poor performance (probably due to bad luck) is likely to be followed by improvement. When theory is used, there is a risk of theory-ladenness of observation, which challenges the traditional empiricist account of scientific observation as the passive reception of sense-data. The theory-laden view implies that different paradigms or theories may be incommensurable in the sense that their proponents may not be able to communicate with and understand each other meaningfully. However, both theory-ladenness and incommensurability are exaggerations and can be overcome. The example of yin-yang theory shows that it is important to distinguish between substantive theory (or theory in the usual meaning of the term) and metatheory. The former is used to explain empirical phenomena whereas the latter serves as the philosophical foundation for the former.

  • Cognitive Penetration and Cognitive Realism

  • Majid D. Beni
  • Journal:
    Episteme / Volume 21 / Issue 1 / March 2024
    Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    31 August 2021, pp. 270-285
    • Article
      • You have access
      • Open access
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  • The paper addresses the issue of theory-ladenness of observation/experimentation. Motivated by a naturalistic reading of Thomas Kuhn's insights into the same topic, I draw on cognitive neuroscience (predictive coding under Free Energy Principle) to scrutinise theory-ladenness. I equate theory-ladenness with the cognitive penetrability of perceptual inferences and argue that strong theory-ladenness prevails only under uncertain circumstances. This understanding of theory-ladenness is in line with Thomas Kuhn's view on the same subject as well as a cognitive version of modest realism rather than downright antirealism.