"Toward a Rational Theory of Progress"

Proposes to answer positively the following question: given (1) that truth cannot be considered an achievable scientific goal, & (2) I. Lakatos's failure to ground scientific rationality on the scientific method, is it possible to elucidate the notions of rationality & progress without conceding to relativism? A general & transcontextual theory of rationality is presented, grounded on the erotetic logic of problem seeking, & solving, & its historiographical implications are traced. Following the lead of R. G. Collingwood & Karl Popper, the self-correcting process of prudent & contrived troubleshooting is elucidated in terms of an account of problems & problem solving developed in terms of the general notion of a goal-directed system. 38 References. AA