Loading...

A Critical Review of the Argument Called “Unconceived Alternatives”

Sharifipour, Amir | 2023

38 Viewed
  1. Type of Document: M.Sc. Thesis
  2. Language: Farsi
  3. Document No: 56701 (42)
  4. University: Sharif University of Technology
  5. Department: Philosophy of Science
  6. Advisor(s): Taqavi, Mostafa
  7. Abstract:
  8. Scientific realism has always faced continuous criticism from anti-realists. Kyle Stanford's argument based on the problem of "unconceived alternatives" can be seen as a late and troublesome version of these challenges. In this thesis, first in the first chapter, after explaining the main points of conflict in the scientific realism/anti-realism debate, we will list the main positions in these two camps, and then we will mention the arguments in favor of scientific realism. After that, we will list the main challenges that scientific realism has faced. Arguments such as pessimistic meta-induction and underdetermination which are raised against scientific realism. In the second chapter, we take a look at Stanford's "new induction" and his argument based on "unconceived alternatives" and the ways it challenges realism by combining historical and philosophical arguments. Stanford's "new pessimistic induction" carries with it a legacy of previous anti-realist arguments such as Louden's "pessimistic induction" and "underdetermination of scientific theories", but it has subtle differences with both of them. And even Stanford himself claims that he tried to fix the problems of the previous arguments in order to present a new argument, to question the realist claim in a better way and withstand their counterattacks. Also, at the end of this chapter, we will have a short look at the Stanford case study in a part of the history of biological theories. Then, in the third chapter, we will explain the realistic answers proposed in front of the mentioned challenge. In addition to evaluating these answers, the author has also tried to add new points to the critical literature of this field. Finally, in the fourth chapter, an attempt has been made to explain, from the perspective of critical realism of Roy Bhaskar, how the simultaneous stratified view of the world and scientific theories can loose up the basis of Stanford's anti-realist argument and make it possible to achieve true knowledge of reality through scientific activity
  9. Keywords:
  10. Kyle Stanford Theorem ; Under Determination ; Pessimistic Induction ; Roy Bhaskar ; Pessimistic Meta-Induction ; New Induction ; Unconceived Alternatives

 Digital Object List

 Bookmark

No TOC