Discuss the below:
Is there a general coherent way to assess the claims of truth of scientific results in the light of scientific progress? If a theory is shown to be "falsified" in the sense of Karl Popper, could there still be elements of truth to the theory? Is only the current state of science "true?" Is it true even though we know it to be tentative? Are the elements of a theory that are modeled by simplifying assumptions true or merely useful conceptual tools? Do we have need of a general coherent concept of truth or is commonsense practical reasoning sufficient.
Group of articles from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy on the subjects of realism, anti-realism and scientific revolutions. From this point of the course onward, you are to read these articles and comment on them on an ongoing basis, relating the content of these articles to the material in the Student Lecture Material and in the books by Kuhn and by Firestein.
Questions to address:
What is realism and anti-realism in the philosophy of science?
Discuss these very basic issues relevant to this Forum that are raised by the above articles: What is the status of entities that are used in scientific explanations. Do they represent real things that simply exist. Alternatively, are they abstractions or concepts that are useful for prediction but do not actually represent objective existing entities. Do scientific theories mix together some real things that exist and some useful representations that are not objectively real, or that cannot be independently shown to exist. If there are scientific revolutions, do they concern objective reality or representations of reality or both. If the conventions of scientific communities determine what 'science' is at any given time, can we ever use the word 'true,' as ordinarily understood, in describing scientific theories and results or are we confined to use the word 'true' to mean 'accepted by the scientific community as of now.'
Present detailed reasoning and arguments of at least four distinct views on whether we can properly say that there are scientific revolutions. Present Kuhn's evidence for scientific revolutions and explain in detail how some others support his view and how some others oppose his view.
Present and summarize a current scientific topic of interest to you. Discuss whether realism and anti-realism philosophical positions are relevant to that scientific topic. Discuss whether the concept of scientific revolutions is relevant to that scientific topic. .
Present and summarize a SECOND current scientific topic of interest to you. Discuss whether realism and anti-realism philosophical positions are relevant to that scientific topic. Discuss whether the concept of scientific revolutions is relevant to that SECOND scientific topic.