IS THE CONTEXT OF DISCOVERY A SUBJECT OF METHODOLOGY?

Abstract

The novelty of scientific discovery is considered. The analysis of problem solving situation concerns the relativistic turn in physics. The Einsteinian special relativity and Poincaré's relativistic kinematics are compared with respect to their theoretical, empirical and heuristic novelty features. It is concluded that the objectively defined novelty of the discovery is not sufficient for grasping of victorious character of a theory because the objective reconstruction of the problem situation is related finally to an individual scientist. This individual recognition influences the activity in lower Popperian worlds which is also responsible for a presentation, propagation and appraisal of the discovery.