Work

A Confrontation of Convergent Realism

Year: 2013

Type: article

Abstract: For many years—and with some energy since Laudan’s “Confutation of Convergent Realism” (1981)—the scientific realist has sought to accommodate examples of false-yet-successful theories in the history of science. One of the most prominent strategies is to identify ‘success fueling’ components of false theories that themselves are at least approximately true (judging by our current understanding). In this article I develop both sides of the debate, introducing new challenges from the history of science as well as suggesting adjustments to the divide et impera realist strategy. A new ‘recipe’ for the prospective identification of (at least some) working/idle posits is considered.

Source: Philosophy of Science

DOI: 10.1086/670297

Author: Peter Vickers

Institution: Durham University

Language: English

Topic: Philosophy and History of Science

Subfield: History and Philosophy of Science

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: Aarhus Universitet, Durham University, Arts and Humanities Research Council

Award: G1674217070