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In-depth discussion of the value of scientific theories, bringing together and advancing current important debates in realism.
List of contents
Introduction; 1. Theoretical virtues, truth, and the argument from simplicity; 2. Pessimism, base rates, and the no-virtue-coincidence argument; 3. Novel success and predictivism; 4. Theoretical fertility without novel success; 5. Ad hoc hypotheses and the argument from coherence; 6. Virtues as confidence boosters and the argument from choice; 7. Philosophy of science by historical means; Conclusion.
About the author
Samuel Schindler is Associate Professor in the Centre for Science Studies at Aarhus University, Denmark. He has published his work in journals such as The British Journal in Philosophy of Science, Synthese, and Studies in the History and Philosophy of Science. He has received two major external grants from national research foundations in Germany and Denmark.
Summary
Investigates what kinds of theories scientists do and should strive for and whether those theories allow us to be confident that science is reflecting reality. The book features historical case studies and in-depth philosophical analysis to criticise current views of theoretical virtues and to present new arguments for realism.
