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Scientific Realism vs Antirealism

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Questions and Answers

What is the view of scientific realism towards the concepts described by Science?

They must adhere to specific structures

They are considered real regardless of how they are represented (correct)

They are inherently unverified

They must present undeniable physical evidence

Which epistemic view postulates that everything is true?

Entity realism

Naïve realism (correct)

Social constructivism

Structural realism

According to constructive empiricism, how should science provide a true story of the Universe?

By postulating that everything is true

Based only on observable aspects of the Universe (correct)

By presenting undeniable physical evidence

By adhering to specific structures

What does instrumentalism view scientific theories as?

Merely instruments for solving problems and making predictions Signup and view all the answers

Which epistemic view argues that unobservable concepts must present undeniable physical evidence to be considered real?

Scientific antirealism Signup and view all the answers

What can reductionism be construed as?

A thesis about ontologies, laws, theories, linguistic expressions, or some combination of these Signup and view all the answers

Why has theoretical pluralism been criticized?

For forfeiting the benefits of examining inter-theoretic relations Signup and view all the answers

How can reductionism be viewed in terms of scientific theories?

As a synchronic relation between two concurrent theories at different levels of description Signup and view all the answers

Why is theoretical pluralism referred to as the 'disunity of science'?

Because it does not promote unity in science Signup and view all the answers

What has been a consequence of theoretical pluralism?

Criticism for forfeiting benefits of examining inter-theoretic relations Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Epistemic Views on Science

Scientific realism views scientific concepts as true descriptions of an objective reality.

Constructive Empiricism

Constructive empiricism postulates that science should provide a true story of the Universe, but only in terms of observable phenomena.

Instrumentalism

Instrumentalism views scientific theories as mere instruments for making predictions, rather than descriptions of an objective reality.

Reductionism

Reductionism can be construed as the idea that complex phenomena can be fully explained by the characteristics of their constituent parts.
Reductionism can be viewed in terms of scientific theories as the attempt to reduce complex theories to simpler, more fundamental ones.

Theoretical Pluralism

Theoretical pluralism argues that multiple, incompatible scientific theories can coexist, and that there may not be a single, unified explanation for a phenomenon.
Theoretical pluralism has been criticized for leading to a fragmented understanding of science, referred to as the 'disunity of science'.
A consequence of theoretical pluralism has been the proliferation of multiple, seemingly incompatible, scientific theories.

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Description

Explore the differences between scientific realism, naive realism, and structural realism in the context of epistemology of science. Learn about the varying views on the nature of scientific theories and the ontology of the Universe.