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

Research output: Journal PublicationsJournal Article (refereed)peer-review

17 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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3947-3959
Number of pages13
JournalSynthese
Volume196
Issue number10
Early online date21 Jun 2016
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2019

Bibliographical note

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

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