Single Idea 15869

[catalogued under 14. Science / A. Basis of Science / 3. Experiment]

Full Idea

In accounts of experiments, by Faraday and others, the role of the guiding hand of the actual experimenter is written out in successive accounts. The effect is to display the phenomenon as a natural occurrence, existing independently of the experiments.

Gist of Idea

Reports of experiments eliminate the experimenter, and present results as the behaviour of nature

Source

Rom Harré (Laws of Nature [1993], 1)

Book Reference

Harré,Rom: 'Laws of Nature' [Duckworth 1993], p.37


A Reaction

He records three stages in Faraday's reports. The move from active to passive voice is obviously part of it. The claim of universality is thus implicit rather than explicit.