How much do you know about scientific realism?
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Questions and Answers

What is scientific realism?

  • The theory that scientific claims about entities are always true
  • The idea that science is only useful for practical purposes
  • The belief that science is the only way to understand the universe
  • The view that the universe described by science is real regardless of how it may be interpreted (correct)

    • What is the ideal scientific theory according to scientific realism?

  • A theory that is based on metaphysical realism
  • A theory that says definite things about genuinely existing entities (correct)
  • A theory that is supported by all scientists
  • A theory that is easy for everyone to understand

    • What does scientific realism assert about scientific claims?

  • Many scientific claims about entities are true, but not all (correct)
  • No scientific claims about entities are true
  • Scientific claims about entities are irrelevant
  • All scientific claims about entities are true

    • What is the relationship between scientific realism and metaphysical realism?

    <p>Scientific realism is based on metaphysical realism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the no miracles argument against scientific realism?

    <p>Science cannot explain miracles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the underdetermination problem against scientific realism?

    <p>There are always multiple theories that can explain the same evidence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the dominant philosophy of science after positivism?

    <p>Realism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the inference to the best explanation?

    <p>A method of scientific inquiry</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the pessimistic induction against scientific realism?

    <p>The success of science in the past does not guarantee its success in the future</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Scientific Realism: A summary

    • Scientific realism is the view that the universe described by science is real regardless of how it may be interpreted.
    • Scientific realism is often an answer to the question "how is the success of science to be explained?"
    • Scientific realism typically involves two basic positions.
    • An ideal scientific theory has specific features, including a claim that it says definite things about genuinely existing entities.
    • Scientific realism asserts that we have reasons to believe that many scientific claims about entities are true, but not all.
    • Scientific realism holds that science makes progress, i.e. scientific theories usually get successively better.
    • Scientific realists typically hold certain characteristic claims.
    • Scientific realism is related to much older philosophical positions, including rationalism and metaphysical realism.
    • Realism became the dominant philosophy of science after positivism.
    • Scientific realism is developed largely as a reaction to logical positivism.
    • Arguments for scientific realism often appeal to abductive reasoning or "inference to the best explanation."
    • Arguments against scientific realism include the no miracles argument, pessimistic induction, constructivist epistemology, the underdetermination problem, and the incompatible models argument.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge of scientific realism with this informative quiz! Discover the basic positions and characteristic claims of scientific realism, and explore its relation to rationalism and metaphysical realism. Learn about the arguments for and against scientific realism, including the no miracles argument and the underdetermination problem. Challenge yourself with questions on the features of an ideal scientific theory and the progress of scientific theories. Sharpen your understanding of this fascinating philosophical position by taking this quiz today!

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