Work

The Centrality of Progressive Realism to the Scientific Realism Debate

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We report new findings from an empirical study of scientists from seven disciplines and scholars working in history and philosophy of science regarding their views about scientific realism. We found that researchers’ general disposition to endorse or reject realism was better predicted by their views regarding scientific progress than their views about the mind-independence of scientific phenomena or other common theses in the realism debate. Age and gender also significantly predicted endorsement of scientific realism. Implications of these findings for philosophical debates about scientific realism and scientific progress are considered.

Source: Philosophy of Science

DOI: 10.1017/psa.2025.10092

Authors: James R. Beebe, Finnur Dellsén

Institutions: University at Buffalo, State University of New York, University of Iceland, University of Oslo, University of Inland Norway

Language: English

Topic: Philosophy and History of Science

Subfield: History and Philosophy of Science

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,550

Funder: University of Cambridge