Since total objectivity is impossible, should people choose the theories they like best? A. Yes, since all theories are true to some degree. B. No, since scientists will eventually discover the truth, even if they do not know it now. C. Yes, since one theory is as good as any other. D. No, since some theories better account for more important data than do others.

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Harper Wang

16 January, 18:40

Since total objectivity is impossible, should people choose the theories they like best? A. Yes, since all theories are true to some degree. B. No, since scientists will eventually discover the truth, even if they do not know it now. C. Yes, since one theory is as good as any other. D. No, since some theories better account for more important data than do others.

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Quintin Hancock · Answer 1

D. No, since some theories better account for more important data than do others.

Explanation:

While it is true that total objectivity is impossible, and no theory can fully explain a phenomenon, some theories are better than others at explaining things (mostly because they are built on previous theories).

For example, Einstein's General Relativity is better at explaining the Universe than Newton's laws of general motion, or Copernicus' heliocentric view of the Universe, even while the three theories are an improvement over the Ptolemaic geocentric cosmology that dominated Western thought for millenia.

And while Einstein's theories are not perfect, adhering to Newton's or Copernicus' theory instead would be unscientific.