A tudományfilozófiai elméletek és az értékkutatások kapcsolata

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine, in what extent the mainstream approaches of scientifictheories can be applied on the field of the value-research. Therefore, I will examine these modelsthrough the lense of scientific philosophical approaches of 20th century. Of the three mostsignificant philosophical theory (Popper’s falsification theory, Kuhn’s paradigm theory, and ImreLakatos’s theory of scientific research programs), I apply Lakatos’s theory, since it fits the bestto explain, how parallel research streams emerged on the field of value research. In this study Istrive for conciliate Lakatos’s program and the three significant value models. In the scientificresearch program theory Lakatos found that many research programs coexist simultaneously.Each has a hard core or negative heuristic (as Lakatos calls it) of theories immune to any revisionsurrounded by a protective belt or positive heuristic of malleable theories. Every researchprogram vies against others to be most progressive. In my opinion the core of the program isthe value definition itself, which is used by the different researchers in the field of value studies.This value definition barely changed during the past few decades. On the other hand, there arenumerous value models aimed to assess people’s value system. These models can be consideredas the protective belt revolving around the hardcore definition. The aim of this paper is not toemphasize Lakatos’ theory from the philosophical approaches of science, but to examine valueresearch through a philosophical eye. This approach also can ease the communication betweenthe value research by exploring the common core of them.