The Routledge Handbook of Scientific Realism (Routledge Handbooks in Philosophy)

Book Details:

• Author: Juha Saatsi

• Brand: Routledge

• Edition: 1st

• Binding: Hardcover

• Number of Pages: 470

• Release Date: 01-Dec-2017

• ISBN: 9781138888852

• Languages: English

• Package Dimensions: 9.9 x 7.1 x 1.3 inches

Product Description:

The Routledge Handbook of Scientific Realism provides a comprehensive overview of one of the most central and debated topics in the philosophy of science: scientific realism. This collection, the first of its kind, explores the key issues, positions, and arguments in the ongoing debate surrounding scientific realism and offers deep insights into the nature and extent of scientific knowledge.

Structure:

The Handbook is divided into five main sections:

1. Historical Development of the Realist Stance: Traces the evolution of scientific realism, starting from its historical roots and early developments.

2. Classic Debate: Core Issues and Positions: Focuses on the foundational arguments in the realism vs. anti-realism debate, including the positions of scientific realists and their critics.

3. Perspectives on Contemporary Debates: Examines current debates within scientific realism, incorporating new viewpoints and discussions that have emerged in recent philosophy of science.

4. The Realism Debate in Disciplinary Context: Considers the debates within specific scientific disciplines and the ways in which the realism debate applies to particular fields like physics, biology, and chemistry.

5. Broader Reflections: Provides broader philosophical reflections on realism, exploring its connections to epistemology, metaphysics, and related areas.

Core Topics Include:

• Motivations and Arguments for Realism: Why do some philosophers and scientists defend the realist stance on scientific theories?

• Challenges to Realism: Criticisms based on underdetermination and the history of science.

• Variants of Realism: Different forms of scientific realism, such as structural realism, entity realism, and others.

• Realism and Relativism: The connection and tension between scientific realism and relativism.

• Realism’s Relationship with Metaphysics and Epistemology: How scientific realism interacts with core philosophical areas like the theory of knowledge and metaphysical commitments.