Reassessing Discovery: Rosalind Franklin, Scientific Visualization, and the Structure of DNA

• Published in: Philosophy of science Vol. 79; no. 1; pp. 63 - 80
• Main Author: Gibbons, Michelle G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL University of Chicago Press 01.01.2012; Cambridge University Press
• Subjects: Cognition; Cognition & reasoning; Creeks; Crystal structure; Crystallography; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; Epistemology. Philosophy of science. Theory of knowledge; Franklin, Rosalind Elsie; Franklin, Rosalind Elsie (1920-58); Philosophers; Philosophical analysis; Philosophical psychology; Philosophy; Rationality; Scientific discoveries; Sexism; Visual communication; X ray diffraction; Science philosophy

Philosophers have traditionally conceived of discovery in terms of internal cognitive acts. Close consideration of Rosalind Franklin’s role in the discovery of the DNA double helix, however, reveals some problems with this traditional conception. This article argues that defining discovery in terms...