Progress Process Of Scientific Theory

The problem of scientific theory progress is one of the core problems of science and philosophy of science in western. pays close attention to it. Since T. Kuhn published 《The Structure of Scientific Revolutions》 in 1962, contemporary western philosophy of science is more and more concerned about science development. The problem of scientific progress has become a core problem in dynamic research about science. A central content of the science development is the progress of scientific theory in fact. Scientific theory is not only the accomplishment symbol, but also the new starting point of science itself.The paper studies the scientific theory development pattern of western philosophy of science and absorbs its quintessence. Point out three stages of progress process of scientific theory: scientific theory generation, scientific theory growth, scientific theory revolution in the practice of scientific cognition. Firstly, scientific research begins with a question. It is necessary to plan a resolution to solve the question, namely so called scientific hypothesis. If the scientific fact is explained by the scientific hypothesis in this stage, we will set up a really scientific theory and this is scientific theories generation. When the new theory generates, it will meet dispute and doubt of different schools and points. By intense science dispute, the new theory is confirmed deeply and its content is rich and perfect. In order to expand the scope and applied fields, merge the old theory into a bigger theory system by the merge and correspondence principle of theory. So scientific theory generation develops into senior stage: axiomatic stage. It is undoubtedly result of scientific theory systematization. When axiomatic system reaches a fairly perfect stage, theorists hope axiomatic system more abundant by formalization method. But things develop in the opposite direction when axiomatic system is extremely perfect and the limitation is bigger. This will offer a chance for scientific revolution and lead to changes in axiomatic system. Put forward a new scientific question and bring scientific cognition into a new stage.