Ahmed, Sarwar (2025) The Epistemological Status of the Direct and Indirect Observation Distinction. European Journal for Philosophy of Science, 15 (68). pp. 1-28. ISSN 1879-4912

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Abstract

For various reasons, it has become common wisdom in science that there exists a principled epistemic distinction between direct and indirect observation. In this paper, I present a twofold argument. First, I argue against such a principled epistemic distinction. Second, I highlight a pervasive incongruence between the methodological and epistemological distinctions between direct and indirect observations. My arguments revolve around the idea that it is one thing to make a methodological distinction between observations and another to ascribe epistemic significance to them. I begin by unfolding the historical and philosophical foundations of the distinction, identifying three tenets that have served to sustain the distinction to the present day. I then provide a detailed analysis of two recent philosophical efforts to preserve the epistemic distinction in astrophysics and specific areas of astrophysics, ultimately suggesting that these approaches face significant challenges.

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Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Ahmed, Sarwar sarwarmuhamad84@gmail.com 0000-0002-1992-8314
Keywords:	observation, direct observation, indirect observation, inference, empiricism, perception
Subjects:	General Issues > Data Specific Sciences > Physics > Astrophysics Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology General Issues > Evidence General Issues > Experimentation General Issues > Explanation Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Technology General Issues > Theory/Observation
Depositing User:	Sarwar Ahmed
Date Deposited:	07 Nov 2025 13:12
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2025 13:12
Item ID:	27151
Journal or Publication Title:	European Journal for Philosophy of Science
Publisher:	Springer
Official URL:	https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13194-0...
DOI or Unique Handle:	https://doi.org/10.1007/s13194-025-00687-9
Subjects:	General Issues > Data Specific Sciences > Physics > Astrophysics Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology General Issues > Evidence General Issues > Experimentation General Issues > Explanation Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Technology General Issues > Theory/Observation
Date:	7 November 2025
Page Range:	pp. 1-28
Volume:	15
Number:	68
ISSN:	1879-4912
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/27151

Available Versions of this Item

• The Epistemological Status of the Direct and Indirect Observation Distinction. (deposited 17 Sep 2025 11:05)
  • The Epistemological Status of the Direct and Indirect Observation Distinction. (deposited 07 Nov 2025 13:12)
    • The Epistemological Status of the Direct and Indirect Observation Distinction. (deposited 07 Nov 2025 13:12) [Currently Displayed]

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