Scientific progress without increasing verisimilitude : in response to Niiniluoto

Darrell Patrick ROWBOTTOM

Research output: Journal Publications › Journal Article (refereed)

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

First, I argue that scientific progress is possible in the absence of increasing verisimilitude in science's theories. Second, I argue that increasing theoretical verisimilitude is not the central, or primary, dimension of scientific progress. Third, I defend my previous argument that unjustified changes in scientific belief may be progressive. Fourth, I illustrate how false beliefs can promote scientific progress in ways that cannot be explicated by appeal to verisimilitude.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)100-104
Number of pages5
JournalStudies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A
Volume51
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2015

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Verisimilitude
Scientific Progress
False Belief

Keywords

  • Instrumentalism
  • Niiniluoto
  • Scientific change
  • Scientific progress
  • Scientific realism
  • Verisimilitude

Cite this

ROWBOTTOM, Darrell Patrick. / Scientific progress without increasing verisimilitude : in response to Niiniluoto. In: Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A. 2015 ; Vol. 51. pp. 100-104.
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abstract = "First, I argue that scientific progress is possible in the absence of increasing verisimilitude in science's theories. Second, I argue that increasing theoretical verisimilitude is not the central, or primary, dimension of scientific progress. Third, I defend my previous argument that unjustified changes in scientific belief may be progressive. Fourth, I illustrate how false beliefs can promote scientific progress in ways that cannot be explicated by appeal to verisimilitude.",
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ROWBOTTOM, DP 2015, 'Scientific progress without increasing verisimilitude : in response to Niiniluoto', Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A, vol. 51, pp. 100-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsa.2015.01.003

Scientific progress without increasing verisimilitude : in response to Niiniluoto. / ROWBOTTOM, Darrell Patrick.

In: Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A, Vol. 51, 01.06.2015, p. 100-104.

Research output: Journal Publications › Journal Article (refereed)

TY - JOUR

T1 - Scientific progress without increasing verisimilitude : in response to Niiniluoto

AU - ROWBOTTOM, Darrell Patrick

PY - 2015/6/1

Y1 - 2015/6/1

N2 - First, I argue that scientific progress is possible in the absence of increasing verisimilitude in science's theories. Second, I argue that increasing theoretical verisimilitude is not the central, or primary, dimension of scientific progress. Third, I defend my previous argument that unjustified changes in scientific belief may be progressive. Fourth, I illustrate how false beliefs can promote scientific progress in ways that cannot be explicated by appeal to verisimilitude.

AB - First, I argue that scientific progress is possible in the absence of increasing verisimilitude in science's theories. Second, I argue that increasing theoretical verisimilitude is not the central, or primary, dimension of scientific progress. Third, I defend my previous argument that unjustified changes in scientific belief may be progressive. Fourth, I illustrate how false beliefs can promote scientific progress in ways that cannot be explicated by appeal to verisimilitude.

KW - Instrumentalism

KW - Niiniluoto

KW - Scientific change

KW - Scientific progress

KW - Scientific realism

KW - Verisimilitude

UR - http://commons.ln.edu.hk/sw_master/2386

U2 - 10.1016/j.shpsa.2015.01.003

DO - 10.1016/j.shpsa.2015.01.003

M3 - Journal Article (refereed)

C2 - 26227237

VL - 51

SP - 100

EP - 104

JO - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science

JF - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science

SN - 0039-3681

ER -

ROWBOTTOM DP. Scientific progress without increasing verisimilitude : in response to Niiniluoto. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A. 2015 Jun 1;51:100-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsa.2015.01.003

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