Do scientific theories become more refined? - Philosophy Stack Exchange

Theory Briefing

• The Newtonian paradigm succeeded not through complexity but through mathematization — turning physical phenomena into precise models.
• The debate centers on whether later theories like relativity refine Newton or replace it with a fundamentally different framework.
• Complexity alone does not drive scientific progress; the structure and assumptions of a paradigm matter more than its elaborateness.
• Whether science converges toward truth or cycles through incompatible worldviews is the core unresolved question here.