Towards a realistic success-to-truth inference for scientific realism
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 10815673 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Peter Vickers (0000-0001-5644-4290, Durham University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2019 |
| Volume | 196 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 571-585 |
| Publication date | 2019-02-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Synthese (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0039-7857 • E-ISSN: 1573-0964 |
| Publisher | Springer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s11229-016-1150-9 |
| OpenAlex | W2471153545 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 12 |
| References cited | 41 |
A success-to-truth inference has always been at the heart of scientific realist positions. But all attempts to articulate the inference have met with very significant challenges. This paper reconstructs the evolution of this inference, and brings together a number of qualifications in an attempt to articulate a contemporary (‘local’) success-to-truth inference which is realistic. I argue that this contemporary version of the inference has a chance, at least, of overcoming the historical challenges which have been proffered to date (and without moving all the way to structural realism). However, there is a price to pay: the developments which help the realist answer the historical challenges also serve to increase the number of non-historical challenges
Epistemology · Inference · Metaphysics · Philosophy of language · Philosophy of science · Realism · Scientific realism · Computer Science · History of Science and Medicine · Philosophy · Philosophy and History of Science
Key Arguments Against Scientific Realism
Scientific Realism and Theory Comparison in the Face of Disciplinary Diversity
The Positive Argument Against Scientific Realism
Does Explaining Past Success Require (Enough) Retention? The Case of Ptolemaic Astronomy
Akaike and the No Miracle Argument for Scientific Realism
Rethinking holism and underdetermination
Scientific realism
Does the no miracles argument apply to AI
Against ‘functional gravitational energy’
Is Farr's cholera law of elevation a counterexample to selective realism
The physics and metaphysics of Tychistic Bohmian Mechanics
Dimensions of predictive success
Exceeding Our Grasp
Structural Realism
Mathematics, Matter and Method
The Advancement of Science. Science Without Legend, Objectivity Without Illusions
Hume's Problem
Broca's Brain
Historical inductions, Old and New
Structural realism versus standard scientific realism
Structural correspondence, indirect reference, and partial truth
Structural realism versus deployment realism
Reconsidering the Fresnel–Maxwell theory shift
Did Ptolemy make novel predictions? Launching Ptolemaic astronomy into the scientific realism debate
A Confrontation of Convergent Realism
Theory Change and Degrees of Success
What Elements of Successful Scientific Theories Are the Correct Targets for “Selective” Scientific Realism
The Upward Path to Structural Realism
Realist Ennui and the Base Rate Fallacy
No Refuge for Realism
The Prospective Stance in Realism
Local Underdetermination in Historical Science
A Confutation of Convergent Realism
Realism and Truth
Inductions, Red Herrings, and the Best Explanation for the Mixed Record of Science
Miraculous Success? Inconsistency and Untruth in Kirchhoff’s Diffraction Theory
Popper’s Measure of Corroboration and P ( h | b )
The scientific image
Meaning and the Moral Sciences (Routledge Revivals)
The Advancement of Science
| Citations per year | 1.71 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2019 - 2026 (8) |
| Highly cited | No |