Logic & Philosophy of Science Colloquium


 

Sherri Roush
Rice University and
Visiting Scholar, UC Irvine


"Real Anti-Realism"

Abstract:

I describe a piecemeal approach to the question whether we should be realists about well- tested scientific theories (i.e. believe they are true) that is based on a criterion for having a good reason to believe a claim is true. Though the criterion is realist in spirit, it delivers an anti-realist conclusion about our current (and past) knowledge at the level of abstract theories. Nevertheless, we have evidence that satisfies the criterion for many of our low-level empirical generalizations, and even for some claims that go beyond observables. Thus, the criterion justifies a good deal of epistemic modesty about actual science, but doesn't make us into skeptics or even strict empiricists. The anti-realism that follows from this approach has the advantage over anti-realist views based on empiricist assumptions (e.g., Constructive Empiricism) of setting no limits a priori on what science can and cannot ever achieve.

Friday, June 11, 2004
SST 777
3 pm

Refreshments will be served

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