Abstract
M.A.
A pressing problem in contemporary political philosophy is how to
accommodate difference justly in culturally diverse societies. A philosopher of
science, Paul Feyerabend, has provided an unusual perspective on diversity.
He argues that science and its philosophy provide the greatest threat to
diversity. The aim of this thesis is to analyse and critically evaluate Paul
Feyerabend's attempt to transform science, politics and philosophy to
accommodate diversity better. This aim will be accomplished through a
literature study of Feyerabend’s relevant texts, political philosophy on
diversity, and the most significant philosophies of science.
Feyerabend claims that scientific method, science’s dominant role in society,
and philosophy, suppress freedom and marginalise diversity. Firstly, he
argues that scientific method interferes with the freedom of scientists and the
complexity of scientific practice. Secondly, he maintains that science’s
dominance in society stifles non-scientific alternatives and the autonomy of
citizens to choose between science and these alternatives. Thirdly, he argues
that philosophy necessarily suppresses difference by associating knowledge
with simple abstract theories, instead of the pluralism of the concrete world.
Feyerabend’s political solution to accommodating diversity is to eradicate
science’s dominance in society. He aspires to construct a free society that will
regard science as equal to all other traditions, and that will increase the
autonomy and freedom of both citizens and scientists by eliminating the
principles and ideologies imposed on them by scientific and rationalist
intellectuals.
This dissertation will argue that Feyerabend has contributed to
accommodating diversity better by identifying that science can interfere with
difference. However, this thesis claims that, overall, Feyerabend is
unsuccessful in his contribution to the politics of difference. In fact, his primary
failure lies in his lack of sensitivity towards complexity and diversity. I will
ii
argue, firstly, that Feyerabend’s free society fails to accommodate diversity
successfully. Secondly, I will argue that Feyerabend’s condemnation of
philosophy is flawed: instead of necessarily suppressing diversity, philosophy
can be successfully used to express difference. The conclusion of this thesis,
thus, is that although Feyerabend contributes to our understanding of how to
accommodate diversity better, his attempts to transform science, politics and
philosophy are unsuccessful.
Prof. H.P.P. Lötter