Is a Normative Historically Oriented Philosophy of Science Possible? A New Horizon for Integrated History and Philosophy of Science (iHPS)

In this chapter, I explore the idea that science policy offers a new horizon for the fruitful integration of philosophy and history of science. By analysing three key science policy documents from different periods—Vannevar Bush’s report Science, The Endless Frontier, Etzkowitz’s book on the Triple Helix, and the ERC Information for Applicants—I demonstrate that the argumentative structures in science policy follow the same 'exemplary logic' found in Popper’s philosophy of science. Both science policy experts and Popper, in fact, present their normative ideas about science based on specific episodes of scientific progress, which they consider 'exemplars' of good scientific methodology. Finally, I propose an agenda for a revised normative philosophy of science, intended as a philosophy of science policy.