Research Program Quotes (3 quotes)
Lakatos (1978) coined the term immunization for a methodological decision to deflect a falsification from the hard core of a research program by making modifications in the protective belt.
In section, 'From Falsification to Methodological Caution', Ceteris Paribus in Conservative Belief Revision (2009), 71.
Lakatos realized and admitted that the existing standards of rationality, standards of logic included, were too restrictive and would have hindered science had they been applied with determination. He therefore permitted the scientist to violate them (he admits that science is not “rational” in the sense of these standards). However, he demanded that research programmes show certain features in the long run—they must be progressive. … I have argued that this demand no longer restricts scientific practice. Any development agrees with it.
In Science in a Free Society (1978), 15.
Where theory lags behind the facts, we are dealing with miserable degenerating research programmes.
In Radio Lecture (30 Jun 1973) broadcast by the Open University, collected in Imre Lakatos, John Worrall (ed.) and Gregory Currie (ed.), 'Introduction: Science and Pseudoscience', The Methodology of Scientific Research Programmes (1978, 1980), Vol. 1, 6.
In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day. I cannot recall the last time something like that happened in politics or religion.
(1987) -- 
