Chang, Hasok (2002) Preservative Realism and Its Discontents: Revisiting Caloric. [Preprint]

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Abstract

Against Laudan`s "pessimistic induction", a popular and plausible response has been what I call "preservative realism", which argues that there have actually been enough elements of scientific knowledge preserved through processes of major theory-changes, and that those elements can be accepted realistically. This paper argues against preservative realism, in particular through a critical review of Psillos`s argument concerning the case of the caloric theory of heat. The historical record of the caloric theory reveals that beliefs about the properties of material caloric were indeed central to the successes of the caloric theory, contrary to Psillos`s argument. Therefore caloric remains a favorable case for Laudan. Further, I argue that even confirmed cases of preservation do not warrant an inference to truth.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Chang, Hasok
Keywords:	General Philosophy of Science, Philosophers of Science, Realism/Anti-Realism, Confirmation/Induction
Depositing User:	Program Committee
Date Deposited:	23 Mar 2003
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2010 15:11
Item ID:	1059
Date:	2002
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/1059

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