Studies in Scientific Realism

This book offers a superbly clear analysis of the standard arguments for and against scientific realism. In surveying claims on both sides of the debate, Kukla organizes them in ways that expose unnoticed connections. He identifies broad patterns of error, reconciles seemingly incompatible positions, and discovers unoccupied positions with the potential to influence further debate. Kukla's overall assessment is that neither the realists nor the antirealists may claim a decisive victory.

ISBN	0195118650	Pages	188
ISBN13	9780195118650 (What's this?)	Volumes	1
Publisher	Oxford University Press Inc	Weight (grammes)	474
Imprint	Oxford University Press Inc	Published in	New York
Format	Hardback	Height (mm)	234
Publication date	01 Apr 1998	Width (mm)	156
Library of Congress	97027726	Spine width (mm)	18
DEWEY	501	Academic level	Professional / Scholarly
DEWEY edition	DC21

1	The Varieties of Realism	3
2	Realism and the Success of Science	12
3	Realism and Scientific Practice	27
4	Realism and Theoretical Unification	43
5	Realism and Underdetermination I: Does Every Theory Have Empirically Equivalent Rivals?	58
6	Realism and Underdetermination II: Does Empirical Equivalence Entail Underdetermination?	82
7	The Vulnerability Criterion of Belief	92
8	The Belief-Acceptance Distinction	106
9	The Theory-Observation Distinction I: Fodor's Distinction	111
10	The Theory-Observation Distinction II: Van Fraassen's Distinction	129
11	The Theory-Observation Distinction III: The Third Distinction	143
12	Realism and Epistemology	151
	Notes	165
	References	169
	Index	173

Clearly written, well-organized and meticulously argued ... Studies in Scientific Realism is essential reading for any research student interested in the realism debate in science as that debate has evolved over the last generation, and for those scientific or philosophical professionals who think the matter was somehow settled in the course of that debate. Kukla does a masterful job of showing why it wasn't. The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science

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