Ritson, Sophie and Staley, Kent
(2020)
How uncertainty can save measurement from circularity and holism.
Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A.
ISSN 00393681
![[img]](https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/18402/1.hassmallThumbnailVersion/Ritson_Staley_How_uncertainty_can_save_measurement_from_circularity_and_holism.pdf)  Preview |
|
Text
Ritson_Staley_How_uncertainty_can_save_measurement_from_circularity_and_holism.pdf
Download (592kB)
| Preview
|
Abstract
Measurement results depend upon assumptions, and some of those assumptions are theoretical in character. This paper examines particle physics measurements in which a measurement result depends upon a type of assumption for which that very same result may be evidentially relevant, thus raising a worry about potential circularity in argumentation. We demonstrate how the practice of evaluating measurement uncertainty serves to render any such evidential circularity epistemically benign. Our analysis shows how the evaluation and deployment of uncertainty evaluation constitutes an in practice solution to a particular form of Duhemian underdetermination that improves upon Duhem's vague notion of “good sense,” avoids holism, and reconciles theory dependence of measurement with piecemeal hypothesis testing.
Monthly Views for the past 3 years
Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years
Plum Analytics
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
![[feed]](http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/style/images/feed-icon-32x32.png){kind=icon}