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::: center home >> events >> lunchtime >> 2004-05 >> abstracts

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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