Re-enchanting realism in debate with Kyle Stanford
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Date
Authors
Ruttkamp-Bloem, Emma
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
In this article, against the background of a notion of ‘assembled’ truth, the
evolutionary progressiveness of a theory is suggested as novel and promising explanation
for the success of science. A new version of realism in science, referred to as ‘naturalised
realism’ is outlined. Naturalised realism is ‘fallibilist’ in the unique sense that it captures
and mimics the self-corrective core of scientific knowledge and its progress. It is argued
that naturalised realism disarms Kyle Stanford’s anti-realist ‘new induction’ threats by
showing that ‘explanationism’ and his ‘epistemic instrumentalism’ are just two positions
among many on a constantly evolving continuum of options between instrumentalism and
full-blown realism. In particular it is demonstrated that not only can naturalised realism
redefine the terms of realist debate in such a way that no talk of miracles need enter the
debate, but it also promises interesting defenses against inductive- and under-determination-
based anti-realist arguments.
Description
Keywords
Realism, Evolutionary progressiveness, Continuity, Reference, Truth, Unconceived alternatives
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Ruttkamp-Bloem, E 2013, 'Re-enchanting realism in debate with Kyle Stanford', Journal for General Philosophy of Science, vol. 44, no. 1, pp. 201-224.