Realism, history and the quantum theory : philosophical and historical arguments for realism as a methodological thesis
Scientific realists and non-realists disagree over the reach of scientific knowledge: does it extend beyond the observational realm. Intuitions about abductive inferences are at the heart of many realist positions, but are brought into question by the non-realists' contention that theories are underdetermined by data, and the alleged circularity of realist attempts to show that such inferences are reliable. Some realists have tried to circumvent this problem by constructing methodological arguments for realism: if realism is embedded in scientific practice, the realist's picture of science might provide the best explanation of scientific success. Some non-realists reply by again pointing to the circularity of this strategy, which relies, again, on an abductive inference. Others deny that scientists do adopt realist stances. A methodological realist position is constructed: realist constraints on the acceptance and pursuit of theories-for instance requirements of intertheoretic coherence, and the avoidance of ad hoc explanation-have often contributed to progress in science. The position is immune to non-realist worries about the circularity of realist arguments, for it is a thesis about how science is practised,
Hendry, Robin Findlay
Philosophy of science; Lakatosian metamethodology
Realism, history and the quantum theory : philosophical and historical arguments for realism as a methodological thesis. Scientific realists and non-realists disagree over the reach of scientific knowledge: does it extend beyond the observational realm. Intuitions about abductive inferences are at the heart of many realist positions, but are brought into question by the non-realists' contention that theories are underdetermined by data, and the alleged circularity of realist attempts to show that such inferences are reliable. Some realists have tried to circumvent this problem by constructing methodological arguments for realism: if realism is embedded in scientific practice, the realist's picture of science might provide the best explanation of scientific success. Some non-realists reply by again pointing to the circularity of this strategy, which relies, again, on an abductive inference. Others deny that scientists do adopt realist stances. A methodological realist position is constructed: realist constraints on the acceptance and pursuit of theories-for instance requirements of intertheoretic coherence, and the avoidance of ad hoc explanation-have often contributed to progress in science. The position is immune to non-realist worries about the circularity of realist arguments, for it is a thesis about how science is practised,
realism history quantum_theory philosophical historical argument realism methodological thesis scientific realists non realists disagree reach scientific_knowledge extend_beyond observational realm abductive inference heart many realist position bring_question non realists contention theory data allege realist attempt_show inference reliable realist try problem construct methodological argument realism realism embed scientific practice realist picture science might provide_best explanation scientific success non realists reply point strategy relies abductive inference others deny scientist adopt realist stance methodological realist position construct realist constraint acceptance pursuit theories for instance requirement coherence avoidance hoc explanation have often contributed progress science position immune non_realist worry realist argument science practise