theoriegeladen

Theoriegeladen, or theory-laden, is a term used in the philosophy of science to describe the idea that observations, data interpretation, and even the selection of phenomena to study are influenced by theoretical commitments. In this view, no observation is entirely free of theory; what scientists attend to, how they categorize evidence, and what counts as relevant data depend on existing models, hypotheses, and methodological assumptions.

The concept is most often associated with Norwood Russell Hanson, who argued that perception itself is shaped by theoretical expectations, and with Thomas Kuhn, who showed how scientific communities operate within paradigms that determine what counts as a valid observation. The idea challenges the notion of theory-free or objective observation and is used to explain why different researchers may interpret the same data differently.

Implications include questions about objectivity, underdeterminacy, and theory choice. Theory-ladenness explains certain biases but also motivates methodological safeguards such as triangulation, preregistration, and transparent reporting. Examples include interpreting ambiguous data in particle physics, distinguishing signal from noise, or in medicine where prior theories influence imaging interpretation. In the social sciences, theory-ladenness can affect how interviews are coded and how findings are categorized.

Critics argue that some observational content can be relatively theory-neutral and that scientists can coordinate on shared observational standards. Others emphasize that while perception is influenced by theories, robust empirical constraints still help discriminate among competing explanations. The term remains influential in discussions of scientific objectivity, evidence, and how science progresses.