Varieties of Scientific Realism Objectivity and Truth in Science

This book offers a comprehensive update on the scientific realism debate, enabling readers to gain a novel appreciation of the role of objectivity and truth in science and to understand fully the various ways in which antirealist conceptions have been sub

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Varieties of Scientific Realism Objectivity and Truth in Science

Varieties of Scientific Realism

Evandro Agazzi Editor

Varieties of Scientific Realism Objectivity and Truth in Science

123

Editor Evandro Agazzi Universidad Panamericana Mexico City Mexico

ISBN 978-3-319-51607-3 DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-51608-0

ISBN 978-3-319-51608-0

(eBook)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017930276 © Springer International Publishing AG 2017 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Printed on acid-free paper This Springer imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Springer International Publishing AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland

Contents

Introduction: The Conceptual Knots of the Realism Debate . . . . . . . . . . Evandro Agazzi The Debates on Scientific Realism Today: Knowledge and Objectivity in Science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mario Alai The Truth of Theories and Scientific Realism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Evandro Agazzi Part I

1

19 49

Realism and Antirealism

Strict Empiricism Versus Explanation in Science. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alan Musgrave

71

Misdirection and Misconception in the Scientific Realism Debates . . . . . Bas C. van Fraassen

95

Selective Scientific Realism: Representation, Objectivity and Truth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michel Ghins

109

Robustness, Intersubjective Reproducibility, and Scientific Realism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marco Buzzoni

133

Cognitive Illusions and Nonrealism: Objections and Replies . . . . . . . . . . Thomas Nickles

151

Why Do Theories Fail? The Best Argument for Realism . . . . . . . . . . . . Gerhard Vollmer

165

T