Scientific Realism and the Rationality of Science
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Book Description
Scientific realism is the position that the aim of science is to advance on truth and increase knowledge about observable and unobservable aspects of the mind-independent world which we inhabit. This book articulates and defends that position. In presenting a clear formulation and addressing the major arguments for scientific realism Sankey appeals to philosophers beyond the community of, typically Anglo-American, analytic philosophers of science to appreciate and understand the doctrine. The book emphasizes the epistemological aspects of scientific realism and contains an original solution to the problem of induction that rests on an appeal to the principle of uniformity of nature.
Table of Contents
Introduction; Chapter 1 Scientific Realism; Chapter 2 The God's Eye Point of View; Chapter 3 Truth and Entity Realism; Chapter 4 Incommensurability and the Language of Science; Chapter 5 Induction and Natural Kinds; Chapter 6 Methodological Pluralism, Normative Naturalism and the Realist Aim of Science; Chapter 7 Realism, Method and Truth; Chapter 8 Why is it Rational to Believe Scientific Theories are True?;
Author(s)
Biography
Professor Howard Sankey is Associate Professor and Head of Department at the Department of History and Philosophy of Science, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Reviews
’Scientific Realism and the Rationality of Science fulfils the epistemic optimist with a compelling and thought-provoking account of scientific realism. Sankey places realism at the centre of contemporary philosophical debate, and does so with incisive and balanced arguments. ...Scientific Realism and the Rationality of Science will provide academics and students with a challenging defense of scientific realism and will certainly set the agenda for future debate.’ Metapshychology