Suárez, Mauricio (2010) Fictions, Inference, and Realism. [Preprint]

PDF Fictions,_Inference,_and_Realism.pdf Download (100kB)

Abstract

Abstract: It is often assumed without argument that fictionalism in the philosophy of science contradicts scientific realism. This paper is a critical analysis of this assumption. The kind of fictionalism that is at present discussed in philosophy of science is characterised, and distinguished from fictionalism in other areas. A distinction is then drawn between forms of fictional representation, and two competing accounts of fiction in science are discussed. I then outline explicitly what I take to be the argument for the incompatibility of scientific realism with fictionalism. I argue that some of its premises are unwarranted, and are moreover questionable from a fictionalist perspective. The conclusion is that fictionalism is neutral in the realism-antirealism debate, pulling neither in favour nor against scientific realism.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Suárez, Mauricio
Additional Information:	Forthcoming in J. Woods (Ed.) Fictions and Models: New Essays. Philosophia Verlag, Munich, 2010.
Keywords:	Representation, Fictionalism, Models, Idealisation, Realism, Pragmatism
Subjects:	General Issues > Thought Experiments General Issues > Models and Idealization General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science General Issues > Theory/Observation General Issues > Experimentation General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism General Issues > Operationalism/Instrumentalism
Depositing User:	Prof Mauricio Suárez
Date Deposited:	08 Jan 2010
Last Modified:	18 Aug 2016 22:48
Item ID:	5013
Subjects:	General Issues > Thought Experiments General Issues > Models and Idealization General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science General Issues > Theory/Observation General Issues > Experimentation General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism General Issues > Operationalism/Instrumentalism
Date:	January 2010
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/5013

Available Versions of this Item

• Fictions, Inference, and Realism. (deposited 06 Dec 2009)
  • Fictions, Inference, and Realism. (deposited 08 Jan 2010) [Currently Displayed]

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item