Stratified Nomic Realism
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Theo A.F. Kuipers
Abstract
From a realist perspective, the main target of theory oriented empirical science may be characterized as the truth about the demarcation between nomic, e.g. physical, possibilities and impossibilities, called the ‘nomic truth’. In my “Models, postulates, and generalized nomic truth approximation” (2016) I have presented the ‘basic’ version of generalized nomic truth approximation, starting from ‘two-sided’ theories, consisting of models and postulates. Nomic truth approximation becomes, in this way, a process of revising theories, by revising their models and/or their postulates, as more evidence arises. The basic version of generalized nomic truth approximation is in several respects as simple as possible. Among other things, the basic version does not make a (theoryrelative) distinction between an observational and a theoretical level. This raises the question of how, in a stratified set-up, theoretical (nomic) truth approximation relates to observational truth approximation and to increasing empirical success.
Abstract
From a realist perspective, the main target of theory oriented empirical science may be characterized as the truth about the demarcation between nomic, e.g. physical, possibilities and impossibilities, called the ‘nomic truth’. In my “Models, postulates, and generalized nomic truth approximation” (2016) I have presented the ‘basic’ version of generalized nomic truth approximation, starting from ‘two-sided’ theories, consisting of models and postulates. Nomic truth approximation becomes, in this way, a process of revising theories, by revising their models and/or their postulates, as more evidence arises. The basic version of generalized nomic truth approximation is in several respects as simple as possible. Among other things, the basic version does not make a (theoryrelative) distinction between an observational and a theoretical level. This raises the question of how, in a stratified set-up, theoretical (nomic) truth approximation relates to observational truth approximation and to increasing empirical success.
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
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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
