Scientists' aesthetic preferences among theories

conservative factors in revolutionary crises

James W. McAllister

pp. 169-187

in: Alfred Tauber (ed), The elusive synthesis, Berlin, Springer, 1997

Abstract

Scientists choose among alternative available theories in part on empirical considerations, but in part also on aesthetic considerations. That is, their choices to adopt one theory in preference to another are determined partly by the degree to which they regard the theories in question as "beautiful", "elegant", or "aesthetically attractive". This paper is a contribution to the study of the aesthetic considerations to which scientists appeal in theory-choice, and of their role especially in revolutionary times.