Defense of a modest scientific realism
pp. 17-53
Abstract
We examine some basic epistemological problems (notably the underde-termination of theory by evidence) and discuss the difficulties faced by both realism and instrumentalism. We also offer some brief comments on radical relativism and radical redefinitions of truth. We conclude by sketching what seems to us to be a defensible modest realism, and we point out its relation with the picture of the world provided by the renormalization group in physics.
Publication details
Published in:
Carrier Martin, Roggenhofer Johannes, Küppers Günter, Blanchard Philippe (2004) Knowledge and the world: challenges beyond the science wars. Dordrecht, Springer.
Pages: 17-53
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-08129-7_2
Full citation:
Sokal Alan, Bricmont Jean (2004) „Defense of a modest scientific realism“, In: M. Carrier, J. Roggenhofer, G. Küppers & P. Blanchard (eds.), Knowledge and the world, Dordrecht, Springer, 17–53.