Contemporary Scientific Realism: The Challenge from the History of Science

Scientific realists believe that science is getting at the truth, but historical challenges have led to new positions and arguments. This volume introduces new historical cases and advances the discussion of cases that have only recently been introduced. It is divided into two sections: Historical Cases for the Debate and Contemporary Scientific Realism, and all sides agree that historical cases are informative about how science connects with truth.

Format: Hardback
Length: 392 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Scientific realists assert that we can reasonably trust that science is on the right track to uncovering the truth. However, they have encountered historical obstacles: numerous instances throughout history seem to show that even widely accepted scientific theories can be disproven and abandoned. Realists have responded by developing new positions and arguments in response. As a result of specific challenges from the history of science, and realist responses, we find ourselves with an ever-growing dataset bearing on the (possible) relationship between science and truth.

The present volume introduces new historical cases impacting the debate and advances the discussion of cases that have only very recently been introduced. At the same time, shifts in philosophical positions affect the very kind of case study that is relevant. Thus, the historical work must proceed hand in hand with philosophical analysis of the different positions and arguments in play. It is with this in mind that the volume is divided into two sections, entitled Historical Cases for the Debate and Contemporary Scientific Realism.

All sides agree that historical cases are informative with regard to how, or whether, science connects with truth. Defying proclamations as early as the 1980s announcing the death knell of the scientific realism debate, here is that rare thing: a philosophical debate making steady and definite progress. Moreover, the progress it is making concerns one of humanity's most profound and important questions: the relationship between science and truth, or, put more boldly, the epistemic relation between humankind and the reality in which we find ourselves.

Weight: 680g
Dimension: 163 x 241 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780190946814