Scientific Realism and the Future Development of Science
Scientific Realism and the Future Development of Science
Author(s): Seungbae ParkSubject(s): Philosophical Traditions, Social Philosophy, Special Branches of Philosophy
Published by: Instytut Filozofii Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: end of history illusion; mature theories; pessimistic induction; scientific realism
Summary/Abstract: Nickles raises many original objections against scientific realism. One of them holds that scientific realism originates from the end of history illusion. I reply that this objection is self-defeating and commits the genetic fallacy. Another objection is that it is unknowable whether our descendants will regard our current mature theories as true or false. I reply that this objection entails skepticism about induction, leading to skepticism about the world, which is inconsistent with the appeal to the end of history illusion. Finally, I argue that we have an inductive rationale for thinking that will lead our descendants to regard our current mature theories as true.
Journal: Diametros
- Issue Year: 16/2019
- Issue No: 60
- Page Range: 61-71
- Page Count: 11
- Language: English