NDLI: Best theory scientific realism

Please wait, while we are loading the content...

Best theory scientific realism

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Doppelt, Gerald
Copyright Year	2014
Abstract	The aim of this essay is to argue for a new version of ‘inference-to-the-best-explanation’ scientific realism, which I characterize as Best Theory Realism or ‘BTR’. On BTR, the realist needs only to embrace a commitment to the truth or approximate truth of the best theories in a field, those which are unique in satisfying the highest standards of empirical success in a mature field with many successful but falsified predecessors. I argue that taking our best theories to be true is justified because it provides the best explanation of (1) the predictive success of their predecessors and (2) their own special success. Against standard and especially structural realism, I argue against the claim that the best explanations of the success of theories is provided by identifying their true components, such as structural relations between unobservable, which are preserved across theory change. In particular, I criticize Ladyman's and Carrier’s structural account of the success of phlogiston theory, and Worrall's well-known structural account of the success of Fresnel’s theory of light. I argue that these accounts tacitly assume the truth of our best theories, which in any case provides a better explanation of these theories’ success than the structural account. Structural realism is now defended as the only version of realism that is able to surmount the pessimistic meta-induction and the general problem that successful theories involve ontological claims concerning unobservable entities that are abandoned and falsified in theory-change. I argue that Best Theory Realism can overcome the pessimistic meta-induction and this general problem posed by theory-change. Our best theories possess a characteristic which sharply distinguishes them from their successful but false predecessors. Furthermore ‘inference-to-the-best-explanation’ confirmation can establish the truth of our best theories and thus trumps the pessimistic inductive reasoning which is supposed to show that even our best theories are most likely false in their claims concerning unobservable entities and processes.
Starting Page	271
Ending Page	291
Page Count	21
File Format	PDF
ISSN	18794912
Journal	European Journal for Philosophy of Science
Volume Number	4
Issue Number	2
e-ISSN	18794920
Language	English
Publisher	Springer Netherlands
Publisher Date	2014-05-02
Publisher Place	Dordrecht
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Best theories Structural realism Inference to the best explanation Pessimistic meta-induction Problem of theory change Phlogiston chemistry Fresnel's theory of light Scientific realism Philosophy of Science
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Philosophy History and Philosophy of Science

Sl.	Authority	Responsibilities	Communication Details
1	Ministry of Education (GoI), Department of Higher Education	Sanctioning Authority	https://www.education.gov.in/ict-initiatives
2	Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	Host Institute of the Project: The host institute of the project is responsible for providing infrastructure support and hosting the project	https://www.iitkgp.ac.in
3	National Digital Library of India Office, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur	The administrative and infrastructural headquarters of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in
4	Project PI / Joint PI	Principal Investigator and Joint Principal Investigators of the project	Dr. B. Sutradhar bsutra@ndl.gov.in Prof. Saswat Chakrabarti will be added soon
5	Website/Portal (Helpdesk)	Queries regarding NDLI and its services	support@ndl.gov.in
6	Contents and Copyright Issues	Queries related to content curation and copyright issues	content@ndl.gov.in
7	National Digital Library of India Club (NDLI Club)	Queries related to NDLI Club formation, support, user awareness program, seminar/symposium, collaboration, social media, promotion, and outreach	clubsupport@ndl.gov.in
8	Digital Preservation Centre (DPC)	Assistance with digitizing and archiving copyright-free printed books	dpc@ndl.gov.in
9	IDR Setup or Support	Queries related to establishment and support of Institutional Digital Repository (IDR) and IDR workshops	idr@ndl.gov.in

Explaining the Success of Science: Kuhn and Scientific Realists

From Standard Scientific Realism and Structural Realism to Best Current Theory Realism

Reconstructing the upward path to structural realism

Structural realism versus standard scientific realism: the case of phlogiston and dephlogisticated air

Are Unconceived Alternatives a Problem for Scientific Realism?

The pessimistic induction and the exponential growth of science reassessed

Explanatory warrant for scientific realism

Structural correspondence, indirect reference, and partial truth: phlogiston theory and Newtonian mechanics

Why Does Laudan’s Confutation of Convergent Realism Fail?

Best theory scientific realism

Similar Documents

Explaining the Success of Science: Kuhn and Scientific Realists

From Standard Scientific Realism and Structural Realism to Best Current Theory Realism

Reconstructing the upward path to structural realism

Structural realism versus standard scientific realism: the case of phlogiston and dephlogisticated air

Are Unconceived Alternatives a Problem for Scientific Realism?

The pessimistic induction and the exponential growth of science reassessed

Explanatory warrant for scientific realism

Structural correspondence, indirect reference, and partial truth: phlogiston theory and Newtonian mechanics

Why Does Laudan’s Confutation of Convergent Realism Fail?

Best theory scientific realism