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There are ample known facts and published theories about neuroscience that have ... | Hacker News

news.ycombinator.com

The debate over whether a complete theory of cognition is even achievable reveals how science's built-in imperfection and rivalry are actually what keep the field alive.

Philosophy of ScienceKuhnian Paradigm ShiftsTheory of CognitionMotivated Reasoning

Theory Briefing

  • Billions in research funding persist precisely because no unified theory of cognition exists — incompleteness is the engine, not the obstacle.
  • Hacker News commenters argue that 'pet theories' drive neuroscience forward, echoing Kuhn's idea that paradigm rivalry fuels scientific progress.
  • A full theory of cognition would effectively end the research incentive — raising the question of whether science ever truly wants final answers.