PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE AND PHYSIOLOGY EDUCATION.
Roberto Refinetti.
Department of Psychology, College of William &
Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23187.
APStracts 4:0001S, 1997.
ABSTRACT
Since the mid-1960's, philosophy of science (particularly that derived
from Kuhn's work) has become an informal part of the education of scientists
worldwide, including physiologists. However, recent postmodernist developments
have enraged a number of scientists, who would like to sever any ties with
philosophy of science. The author contends that the perceived conflict
is due mainly to a misuderstanding of the implications of constructivist
assertions and partially to flawed reasoning in a few constructivist approaches.
There is not a fundamental conflict that would justify the elimination
of philosophy of science from science education.
Received 5 October 1996; accepted in final form 24 February 1997.
APS Manuscript Number S42-6.
Article publication pending Advances in Physiology Education
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1997 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 21 March 1997