Some varieties of scientific anti-realism, classical and contemporary
Methodology: to offer a dissertation in two halves; the first of which being a taxonomic account of essential doctrines from four of the most characteristic empiricist scientific anti-realists. Locke and Berkeley represent classical empiricism, and Bas van Fraassen and Nancy Cartwright represent the moderns. The taxonomy addresses primarily three sets of issues, namely causation, theoretical entities and inference to the best explanation, stressing the plurality of concerns and approaches possible within an anti-realist framework. The second half then applies some of the lessons learned from the study of earlier forms of anti-realism and offers a critique of inference to the best explanation and its role in science. The aim is to set up a form of empiricist anti-realism which is heedful of the anti-metaphysical programme of positivism, but which is more accommodating to inferences to theoretical entities and less absolutist in its strictures on representation and reference. Part Two addresses various topics within empiricist responses to science, ranging from a critique of uses of epistemic privilege in the justification of inference to the best explanation, to an attempt to apply ideas from artificial life-style
Richmond, Alasdair M.
Philosophy
Some varieties of scientific anti-realism, classical and contemporary. Methodology: to offer a dissertation in two halves; the first of which being a taxonomic account of essential doctrines from four of the most characteristic empiricist scientific anti-realists. Locke and Berkeley represent classical empiricism, and Bas van Fraassen and Nancy Cartwright represent the moderns. The taxonomy addresses primarily three sets of issues, namely causation, theoretical entities and inference to the best explanation, stressing the plurality of concerns and approaches possible within an anti-realist framework. The second half then applies some of the lessons learned from the study of earlier forms of anti-realism and offers a critique of inference to the best explanation and its role in science. The aim is to set up a form of empiricist anti-realism which is heedful of the anti-metaphysical programme of positivism, but which is more accommodating to inferences to theoretical entities and less absolutist in its strictures on representation and reference. Part Two addresses various topics within empiricist responses to science, ranging from a critique of uses of epistemic privilege in the justification of inference to the best explanation, to an attempt to apply ideas from artificial life-style
variety scientific anti_realism classical contemporary offer half first taxonomic account essential doctrine characteristic empiricist scientific anti_realists locke berkeley represent classical empiricism represent modern taxonomy address primarily set issue namely causation theoretical entity inference best explanation stress plurality concern approach possible within anti_realist framework second_half applies lesson learn study earlier form anti_realism offer_critique inference best explanation role science aim set form empiricist anti_realism anti metaphysical programme positivism accommodate inference theoretical entity less absolutist representation reference part_two address various topic within empiricist response science range critique use epistemic privilege justification inference best explanation attempt_apply ideas artificial life style