Final answer:
In the philosophy of science, theory-ladenness refers to the contamination of observations by theoretical presuppositions. It means that our observations are influenced by the theories and assumptions we hold.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the philosophy of science, the term 'theory-ladenness' refers to (a) the contamination of observations by theoretical presuppositions. It means that our observations are not completely objective, but influenced by the theories and assumptions we hold. This concept recognizes that our observations of the world are not entirely independent from the theoretical knowledge we possess.
For example, if a scientist is studying the motion of celestial bodies and believes in the theory of heliocentrism (the idea that the Earth revolves around the Sun), their observations of the planets and their paths will be influenced by this theory. Theory-ladenness is an important consideration in scientific inquiry, as it highlights the potential bias and subjectivity that can impact our observations and interpretations.