251. Empirical tests of scientific realism: A quantitative framework.
- Author
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McAllister, James W.
- Subjects
- *
REALISM , *PHILOSOPHY of science , *HISTORY of science - Abstract
The scientific realism debate in philosophy of science raises some intriguing methodological issues. Scientific realism posits a link between a scientific theory's observational and referential success. This opens the possibility of testing the thesis empirically, by searching for evidence of such a link in the record of theories put forward in the history of science. Many realist philosophers working today propose case study methodology as a way of carrying out such a test. This article argues that a qualitative method such as case study methodology is not adequate for this purpose, for two reasons: to test scientific realism is to pose an effects‐of‐causes question, and observational and referential success are quantities that theories possess to a greater or lesser degree. The article concludes that an empirical test of scientific realism requires a quantitative method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...
- Published
- 2023
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