Rethinking the scientific enterprise: in defense of reductionism

TL;DR

This paper proposes a new paradigm for science emphasizing its human and functional aspects, challenging traditional views of theory and experiment, and offers insights into debates like the nature of the quantum state.

Contribution

It introduces an alternative paradigm that redefines science's core functions, addressing longstanding debates and moving beyond the traditional theory-experiment dichotomy.

Findings

Science is better understood as a human endeavor with specific functions.

The new paradigm helps clarify debates such as the quantum state nature.

Traditional theory-experiment dichotomy is insufficient for understanding science.

Abstract

In this essay, I argue that modern science is not the dichotomous pairing of theory and experiment that it is typically presented as, and I offer an alternative paradigm defined by its functions as a human endeavor. I also demonstrate how certain scientific debates, such as the debate over the nature of the quantum state, can be partially resolved by this new paradigm.