The Scientific ImageThe aim of The Scientific Image is to develop an empiricist alternative to both logical positivism and scientific realism. Against positivism, the author insists on a literal interpretation of the language of science, and on an irreducibly pragmatic dimension of theory acceptance. Against realism he argues that the central aim of science is empirical adequacy, and that the only belief involved in the acceptance of a scientific theory is belief that the theory fits the observable phenomena.To substatiate this, the book presents three mutually supporting theories concerning science. The first is an account of the relation between a scientific theory and the empirical world. The second is a new theory of explanation and why-questions, according to which the explanatory power of a theory is a pragmatic aspect which goes beyond its empirical import, but which provides no additional reasons for believing it. And the third is an interpretation of probability in physical theory, with reference to both classical and quantum physics. The presentation of these three central theses is preceded by two chapters which provide an informal introduction to current debates in the philosophy of science, particularly concerning scientific realism. |
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The Scientific Image Bas. C. van Fraassen,Professor of Philosophy Bas C Van Fraassen Limited preview - 1980 |
Common terms and phrases
accepted actual anti-realist argue argument assertion atoms axioms belief called classical mechanics common cause concepts constructive empiricism context contrast-class correlations countable counterfactual direct answer discussion distinction electrons empirical adequacy empirical import empirically adequate empirically equivalent empiricism empiricist entail epistemic epistemic probability exactly example experiment experimental explanatory power explication fact factors finite frequency interpretation give given Hence hidden variables hypothesis imply interpretation J. J. C. Smart language logical logical positivism means measurement metaphysical microstates modal models motion Newton's objective observable phenomena outcomes philosophical philosophy of science physics position possible postulate pragmatic predictions premiss presupposition principle prob probability space probability theory problem proposition quantum mechanics question reason regularities Reichenbach relation relative frequency Salmon scientific realism scientific theory scientists Sellars semantics sense sentence sequence sort statement structure Suppose syntactic theoretical entities tion TN(v true truth unobservable vector why-questions Wilfrid Sellars