The imagination as heuristic resource in the construction of scientific knowledge and some implications for Science Teaching

• Main Author: João Otavio Garcia
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) 2019-12-01
• Series: Caderno Brasileiro de Ensino de Física
• Subjects: imaginação e ciência; natureza da ciência; heurística; ensino de ciências
• Online Access: https://periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/fisica/article/view/60441

In this paper, it is argued that imagination is configured as an active heuristic resource in the social and historical  construction of scientific knowledge processes and that can be used, for example, in development mental experiments. These experiments serve as tools that contribute to the scientific development, especially when they are used considering the imagination as a resource that will guide the possible changes that a conjecture may suffer, throughout its development. It is also explored the importance of treating the role of imagination in scientific activity in science teaching using a specific historical episode – called "The Feynman Dish" – in order to consider this a useful way to minimize the empiricist conception scientific activity, intending to foster teaching in and about science.