ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses a solution to the problem, but the solution and proposes may come as something of a surprise. It argues that the work of the very authors, Thomas Kuhn and Paul Feyerabend, contains all that is needed to solve the problem. The problem of rational theory choice is the problem of whether choice of theory by a scientist may be objectively rational in the absence of an invariant scientific method. The problem of rational scientific theory choice is a problem which was generated out of the clash between the two major twentieth century traditions in the philosophy of science. The chapter suggests that such a new conception of scientific rationality is already to hand, and is available within the work of the historical school. According to empiricist philosophy of science, the acceptance of a theory by a scientist is rationally justified provided the scientist's acceptance of the theory is certified by the scientific method.
