Tuesday,
21 September 2004
Selective Scepticism
and Structural Realism
Anjan Chakravartty
Philosophy and History &
Philosophy of Science & Technology, University
of Toronto
12:05 pm, 817R Cathedral of Learning
Abstract: Over
the years, scientific realists have modified their positions in
response to antirealist scepticism. I will focus on modifications
that might be interpreted as providing a response to the pessimistic
induction in particular, in terms of what I call ‘selective
scepticism’. Modified accounts, which include entity
realism and structural realism, have in common the general strategy
of endorsing beliefs in certain aspects of theories, while promoting
scepticism about other aspects. I will review currently prominent
structuralist accounts en route to proposing a metaphysics of structure
that is, I believe, capable of supporting the epistemic aspirations
of realists.
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