A Positivistic View
In the philosophy of science, a great deal of the criteria for “genuine” scientific research has been defined. According to the positivistic theories, the demarcation line between science and non-science is clear (Popper 1959).
This means that DSL is not science at all. However, the scientific status of DSL is not that hopeless. In order to have a closer look at this problem, let us listen to some more moderate voices.The practice of science is seen as a professional institution for which it is characteristic that the rules of science are learned by following models. The silent know-how passes through actual practice from one generation to the next. One can write a good dissertation by reading good dissertations. For a person whose curiosity is directed at understanding the foundations of his own actions, the response concerning professional institutions is, however, inadequate. For this person, the demarcation problem becomes important (Niiniluoto 1984, 19).
Still, the criteria for science are not interested in solely distinguishing magic or pseudoscience from science. The criteria are also needed to express what is good or bad science. Both problems are especially important for legal research as well.