Extending the argument from unconceived alternatives : observations, models, predictions, explanations, methods, instruments, experiments, and values

Darrell Patrick ROWBOTTOM

doi:10.1007/s11229-016-1132-y

Extending the argument from unconceived alternatives : observations, models, predictions, explanations, methods, instruments, experiments, and values

Darrell Patrick ROWBOTTOM

Department of Philosophy

Research output: Journal Publications › Journal Article (refereed) › peer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Stanford’s argument against scientific realism focuses on theories, just as many earlier arguments from inconceivability have. However, there are possible arguments against scientific realism involving unconceived (or inconceivable) entities of different types: observations, models, predictions, explanations, methods, instruments, experiments, and values. This paper charts such arguments. In combination, they present the strongest challenge yet to scientific realism.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	3947-3959
Number of pages	13
Journal	Synthese
Volume	196
Issue number	10
Early online date	21 Jun 2016
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-016-1132-y
Publication status	Published - Oct 2019

Bibliographical note

My work on this paper was supported by: the Research Grants Council, Hong Kong (‘The Instrument of Science’, Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship); and also by the Institute of Advanced Study, Durham University, in association with the European Union (COFUND Senior Research Fellowship). My thanks to two anonymous referees for several helpful comments.

Keywords

Anti-Realism
Kyle Stanford
Science
Scientific progress
Scientific realism
Unconceived alternatives
Underdetermination of theories by evidence

Access to Document

10.1007/s11229-016-1132-y

Cite this

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title = "Extending the argument from unconceived alternatives : observations, models, predictions, explanations, methods, instruments, experiments, and values",

abstract = "Stanford{\textquoteright}s argument against scientific realism focuses on theories, just as many earlier arguments from inconceivability have. However, there are possible arguments against scientific realism involving unconceived (or inconceivable) entities of different types: observations, models, predictions, explanations, methods, instruments, experiments, and values. This paper charts such arguments. In combination, they present the strongest challenge yet to scientific realism.",

keywords = "Anti-Realism, Kyle Stanford, Science, Scientific progress, Scientific realism, Unconceived alternatives, Underdetermination of theories by evidence",

author = "ROWBOTTOM, {Darrell Patrick}",

note = "My work on this paper was supported by: the Research Grants Council, Hong Kong ({\textquoteleft}The Instrument of Science{\textquoteright}, Humanities and Social Sciences Prestigious Fellowship); and also by the Institute of Advanced Study, Durham University, in association with the European Union (COFUND Senior Research Fellowship). My thanks to two anonymous referees for several helpful comments.",

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AU - ROWBOTTOM, Darrell Patrick

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N2 - Stanford’s argument against scientific realism focuses on theories, just as many earlier arguments from inconceivability have. However, there are possible arguments against scientific realism involving unconceived (or inconceivable) entities of different types: observations, models, predictions, explanations, methods, instruments, experiments, and values. This paper charts such arguments. In combination, they present the strongest challenge yet to scientific realism.

AB - Stanford’s argument against scientific realism focuses on theories, just as many earlier arguments from inconceivability have. However, there are possible arguments against scientific realism involving unconceived (or inconceivable) entities of different types: observations, models, predictions, explanations, methods, instruments, experiments, and values. This paper charts such arguments. In combination, they present the strongest challenge yet to scientific realism.

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KW - Kyle Stanford

KW - Science

KW - Scientific progress

KW - Scientific realism

KW - Unconceived alternatives

KW - Underdetermination of theories by evidence

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DO - 10.1007/s11229-016-1132-y

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VL - 196

SP - 3947

EP - 3959

JO - Synthese

JF - Synthese

IS - 10

ER -

Extending the argument from unconceived alternatives : observations, models, predictions, explanations, methods, instruments, experiments, and values

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

Access to Document

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The Instrument of Science

第八屆高等學校科學研究優秀成果獎(人文社會科學) 二等獎 (The 8th Outstanding Scientific Research Output Award (Humanities and Social Sciences) for Higher Education Institutions - 2nd Class Award)

The instrument of science : scientific anti-realism revitalised

Cite this

Extending the argument from unconceived alternatives : observations, models, predictions, explanations, methods, instruments, experiments, and values

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

The Instrument of Science

Prizes

第八屆高等學校科學研究優秀成果獎(人文社會科學) 二等獎 (The 8th Outstanding Scientific Research Output Award (Humanities and Social Sciences) for Higher Education Institutions - 2nd Class Award)

Research output

The instrument of science : scientific anti-realism revitalised

Cite this