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The Significance of Horizon in Scientific Cognitive Activities



Author(s)

Liu Xin, Wang Qian, Wang Huili

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DOI:10.17265/2159-5313/2018.04.002

The hermeneutic concept of horizon contributes to the philosophical understanding of scientific cognition. In the context of scientific cognitive practices, the concept of horizon provides a way of understanding the distinctive characteristics of scientific observation and knowing. Horizon is a key factor that facilitates the cognitive subject to select objects and their backgrounds. In order to make new accomplishment in scientific discoveries, it is essential to broaden the horizon and introduce new cognitive instrumentalities and methods. This requires people to be adept at finding out the limitations of their thinking and overcome them consciously. Conscious horizon expansion is essential to the integration of intuition and logical thinking process in scientific cognitive activities, as well as to the establishment of the essential connection/relation between different disciplines and research fields, prompting inter-disciplinary communication and producing methods of thinking. This article is an attempt to explore the significance of horizon for scientific cognition. As we will show, by integrating intuitive thinking and logical thinking through the expansion of horizon, a new cognitive model will be provided.

horizon, scientific cognition, intuition, logic