Revisando a verossimilhança: uma abordagem pragmática e wittgensteiniana para superar a incomensurabilidade

Abstract

Since the publication of The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by T. S. Kuhn, the challenge of overcoming incommensurability between distinct paradigms has been central to the philosophy of science and science education. The essential question remains: how can General Relativity be taught from seemingly incommensurable paradigms, such as Newton's Universal Gravitation Theory? This paper proposes a modification of the concept of verisimilitude, originally developed by Popper to measure the difference between true and false contents in theories. The proposal emphasizes how verisimilitude can help overcome incommensurability between paradigms and guide the choice between scientific theories. The theoretical foundation is based on the contributions of Laudan, Da Costa, and Wittgenstein's philosophy. We reformulate the concept of verisimilitude, replacing veritative elements with measures that involve solved and anomalous problems. Furthermore, we suggest a localized analysis of verisimilitude, explaining why "falsified" theories might be preferable to others that have not yet been tested in certain contexts. This approach offers a theoretical solution to incommensurability and presents significant practical implications for science education, providing a new conceptual framework for integrating seemingly disparate theories.