Some Remarks on the so-called Pessimistic Meta-Induction Cover Image

Kilka uwag o tzw. pesymistycznej meta-indukcji
Some Remarks on the so-called Pessimistic Meta-Induction

Author(s): Jacek Rodzeń
Subject(s): Philosophy
Published by: Uniwersytet Warszawski - Wydział Filozofii i Socjologii, Instytut Filozofii
Keywords: pessimistic meta-induction; realism; Hilary Putnam

Summary/Abstract: In the paper the idea of the well-known anti-realistic argument from the so-called pessimistic meta-induction is considered. It is ascertained — contrarily to the widespread belief — that Larry Laudan is not the author of the argument, however he has noticed many of its essential aspects, especially the problem of historical continuity between changing scientific theories. It seems that as the author of the argument should be regarded rather Hilary Putnam. A similar idea of pessimistic metainduction was already anticipated in the work of Henri Poincaré. The paper finishes with conclusion, that scientific realism as a philosophical position has to take into account both the problem of the empirical success of scientific theories and the problem of continuity between them.

  • Issue Year: 14/2006
  • Issue No: 3 (55)
  • Page Range: 97-110
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: Polish