Definition
Bad philosophy is philosophy that prevents the growth of knowledge. Deutsch traces how empiricism, positivism, and instrumentalism weakened science by separating prediction from explanation.
Why It Matters
It prevents progress by telling scientists that seeking deep explanations for the inner workings of a system is impossible or unnecessary. Identifying these knowledge blockers allows us to return to the search for true breakthroughs.
Core Concepts
- Prediction is not enough: A theory without interpretation gives no account of what exists.
- Positivism narrows inquiry: Declaring unobservable entities meaningless blocks explanatory progress.
- Copenhagen-style ambiguity protects confusion: Avoiding reality-talk in quantum theory legitimizes bad explanations.
- Bad philosophy has practical costs: Ideas that disable explanation can distort science, politics, and human self-understanding.