Scientific Realism: What’s All the Fuss?
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Peter Achinstein
Abstract
Scientific realists say that the inferences made by J. J. Thomson in 1897 from his experiments on cathode rays to the truth of the claim that electrons exist, and by Jean Perrin in 1908 from his experiments on Brownian motion to the truth of the claim that molecules exist, are legitimate and decisive. Anti-realists deny that such inferences are legitimate since the inferred entities are unobservable, and any inference to the existence and properties of any unobservable whatever is unwarranted. Legitimate inferences are possible only to the empirical adequacy of such theories, not their truth. My paper explores reasons for the latter bold claim and rejects them all.
Abstract
Scientific realists say that the inferences made by J. J. Thomson in 1897 from his experiments on cathode rays to the truth of the claim that electrons exist, and by Jean Perrin in 1908 from his experiments on Brownian motion to the truth of the claim that molecules exist, are legitimate and decisive. Anti-realists deny that such inferences are legitimate since the inferred entities are unobservable, and any inference to the existence and properties of any unobservable whatever is unwarranted. Legitimate inferences are possible only to the empirical adequacy of such theories, not their truth. My paper explores reasons for the latter bold claim and rejects them all.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Novelty in Scientific Realism: New Approaches to an Ongoing Debate 1
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I New Framework for the Realism and Anti-realism Debate
- Scientific Realism: What’s All the Fuss? 27
- Scientific Realism and Three Problems for Inference to the Best Explanation 48
- Scientific Realism and the Conflict with Common Sense 68
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II Approaches based on History and Scientific Realism
- Evolving Realities: Scientific Prediction and Objectivity from the Perspective of Historical Epistemology 87
- Do Cognitive Illusions Make Scientific Realism Deceptively Attractive? 104
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III Logical Approaches in Realist Terms
- Against Paraconsistentism 133
- Stratified Nomic Realism 145
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IV Logico-Epistemological Structural Realism and Instrumental Realism
- Structural Realism: The Only Defensible Realist Game in Town? 169
- Mathematical Language and the Changing Concept of Physical Reality 206
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V New Developments on Critical Scientific Realism and Pragmatic Realism
- Interdisciplinarity from the Perspective of Critical Scientific Realism 231
- Pragmatic Realism and Scientific Prediction: The Role of Complexity 251
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VI Realism on Causality and Representation
- Realism and AIM (Action, Intervention, Manipulation) Theories of Causality 291
- Is Physics Biased Against Alternative Possibilities? 305
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VII Realist Accounts on Objectivity and Facts
- Realistic Components in the Conception of Pragmatic Idealism: The Role of Objectivity and the Notion of “Fact” 331
- “Heard Enough from the Experts”? A Popperian Enquiry 348
- Realism in Archaeology – A Philosophical Perspective 365
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VIII Realism and the Social World: From Social Sciences to the Sciences of the Artificial
- A Structural Realist Approach to International Relations Theory 391
- Objectivity and Truth in Sciences of Communication and the Case of the Internet 415
- Index of Names 437
- Subject Index 447
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Novelty in Scientific Realism: New Approaches to an Ongoing Debate 1
-
I New Framework for the Realism and Anti-realism Debate
- Scientific Realism: What’s All the Fuss? 27
- Scientific Realism and Three Problems for Inference to the Best Explanation 48
- Scientific Realism and the Conflict with Common Sense 68
-
II Approaches based on History and Scientific Realism
- Evolving Realities: Scientific Prediction and Objectivity from the Perspective of Historical Epistemology 87
- Do Cognitive Illusions Make Scientific Realism Deceptively Attractive? 104
-
III Logical Approaches in Realist Terms
- Against Paraconsistentism 133
- Stratified Nomic Realism 145
-
IV Logico-Epistemological Structural Realism and Instrumental Realism
- Structural Realism: The Only Defensible Realist Game in Town? 169
- Mathematical Language and the Changing Concept of Physical Reality 206
-
V New Developments on Critical Scientific Realism and Pragmatic Realism
- Interdisciplinarity from the Perspective of Critical Scientific Realism 231
- Pragmatic Realism and Scientific Prediction: The Role of Complexity 251
-
VI Realism on Causality and Representation
- Realism and AIM (Action, Intervention, Manipulation) Theories of Causality 291
- Is Physics Biased Against Alternative Possibilities? 305
-
VII Realist Accounts on Objectivity and Facts
- Realistic Components in the Conception of Pragmatic Idealism: The Role of Objectivity and the Notion of “Fact” 331
- “Heard Enough from the Experts”? A Popperian Enquiry 348
- Realism in Archaeology – A Philosophical Perspective 365
-
VIII Realism and the Social World: From Social Sciences to the Sciences of the Artificial
- A Structural Realist Approach to International Relations Theory 391
- Objectivity and Truth in Sciences of Communication and the Case of the Internet 415
- Index of Names 437
- Subject Index 447
