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Hypothetical Entities and Realistic Interpretation: The Case of the Muriatic Radical

Hricko, Jonathon (2013) Hypothetical Entities and Realistic Interpretation: The Case of the Muriatic Radical. In: [2013] PhiloSTEM-5: The Fifth Midwest Workshop in Philosophy of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (Fort Wayne, IN; 14-16 March 2013).

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    Abstract

    Scientific realists are committed to the claim that scientific discourse should be interpreted realistically, so that theoretical terms are understood as putatively referring expressions that have putative reference to empirical entities. In order to argue against realistic interpretation, I draw on an episode from the history of chemistry. One of the hypothetical entities of late 18th century chemistry was the muriatic radical, a hitherto unknown element that was thought to be a constituent of muriatic acid. I argue that the term 'muriatic radical' resists realistic interpretation, and that we should therefore refrain from interpreting discourse concerning hypothetical entities realistically.

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    Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED)
    Keywords: Scientific Realism, Reference, Theoretical Terms, History of Chemistry, Philosophy of Chemistry, Hypothetical Entities
    Subjects: Specific Sciences > Chemistry
    General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science
    General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
    General Issues > Theory/Observation
    Conferences and Volumes: [2013] PhiloSTEM-5: The Fifth Midwest Workshop in Philosophy of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (Fort Wayne, IN; 14-16 March 2013)
    Depositing User: Jonathon Hricko
    Date Deposited: 14 Mar 2013 09:03
    Last Modified: 14 Mar 2013 09:03
    Item ID: 9626
    URI: http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9626

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