Relevance of Feyerabend’s Scientific Anarchism to Scientific Advancement in Nigeria

Against the western philosophy of globalization’s belief in only one system or a “rational” standard of justification, Paul Feyerabend defends methodological anarchism, which holds that there are alternative systems within which coherence can still be established. Feyerabend, in his objection and rejection of universal standard on method, holds that there are many systems and (even within science itself), each with its own standards of justification and as such, it is not possible to choose between them “rationally”, for they are incommensurable. So, in the place of the “rationality” of universal scientific and technological method, he talks of methodological plurality, or what he terms “Epistemological (Scientific) Anarchism”. On this ground, development, whether scientifically or technologically, must not be considered by some universal criteria, but should be sought on the bases of cultural heritage and geographical differences of each society. Thus, this essay is a clarion call on Nigeria (and Africa at large) to channel her scientific and technological developmental efforts to suit her socio-political demands as well as the particular cultural needs of her people.