Scientific realism

Definition

Scientific realism is the view that scientific theories and models accurately represent the world and its entities, asserting that the world described by science is real and exists independently of our perceptions or theories. This perspective emphasizes that successful scientific theories provide a true description of both observable and unobservable phenomena, such as atoms or forces, and suggests that our best scientific explanations reflect a mind-independent reality.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Scientific realism posits that successful scientific theories are not just useful tools but also provide true accounts of the world.
2. A key argument for scientific realism is the 'no miracles' argument, which states that the success of science would be a miracle if its theories were not at least approximately true.
3. Scientific realists argue that entities posited by theories (like electrons) are real, even if they cannot be directly observed.
4. Critics of scientific realism often point to historical examples where successful theories were later discarded or revised significantly, raising questions about their truth.
5. The debate between scientific realism and instrumentalism highlights different views on the nature of scientific explanation and the existence of unobservable entities.

Review Questions

• What are the main arguments supporting scientific realism, and how do they differentiate it from instrumentalism?
  • Main arguments for scientific realism include the 'no miracles' argument, which asserts that the success of science in explaining and predicting phenomena suggests that its theories are likely true. This contrasts with instrumentalism, which views theories merely as tools for prediction without committing to their truth about unobservable entities. Scientific realists contend that since many scientific theories provide accurate descriptions of both observable and unobservable realities, they reflect an underlying truth about the world.
• Discuss how scientific realism relates to metaphysics and epistemology in understanding the nature of reality.
  • Scientific realism engages deeply with metaphysics by asserting that the entities described by science (like electrons or black holes) exist independently of our perception. In terms of epistemology, scientific realism addresses how we can justify our beliefs about these entities based on scientific evidence. It promotes a view that knowledge gained through science is not only justified but also indicative of a mind-independent reality, creating a bridge between what we know and what exists.
• Evaluate the implications of scientific realism on the philosophy of science by analyzing historical examples where scientific theories have changed or been disproven.
  • The implications of scientific realism in philosophy are significant, especially when analyzing historical shifts in scientific thought, such as the transition from Newtonian physics to Einstein's theory of relativity. While realists argue these shifts reflect a deeper understanding of truth, critics highlight instances like phlogiston theory or caloric fluid theory as evidence against scientific realism since they were once accepted but later discarded. This raises questions about whether current theories will remain intact and challenges the claim that all successful theories accurately describe reality. Thus, while scientific realism champions an objective reality behind science, it must contend with its own history to validate its claims.

Related terms

Instrumentalism: A philosophical position suggesting that scientific theories are merely useful instruments for predicting observable phenomena and do not necessarily reflect true statements about unobservable entities.

Metaphysics:

The branch of philosophy concerned with the fundamental nature of reality, including concepts such as existence, objects, and their properties, which are important in understanding the implications of scientific realism.

Epistemology: The study of knowledge and belief, focusing on the nature and justification of knowledge claims, which is crucial for evaluating the validity of scientific realism.