Theory change in immunology. Part II: The clonal selection theory.
This two-part article examines the competition between the clonal selection theory and the instructive theory of the immune response from 1957-1967. In Part I the concept of a temporally 'extended theory' is introduced, which requires attention to the hitherto largely ignored issue of theory individuation. Factors which influence the acceptability of such an extended theory at different temporal points are also embedded in a Bayesian framework, which is shown to provide a rational account of belief change in science. In Part II these factors, as elaborated in the Bayesian framework, are applied to the case of the success of the clonal selection theory and the failure of the instructive theory.
Schaffner
K F
KF
Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15260.
D000486:Allergy and Immunology / Q000266:history* / Q000458:organization & administration; D000916:Antibody Diversity; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D012106:Research / Q000266:history* / Q000458:organization & administration; D012107:Research Design