Document Type
Journal article
Source Publication
International Studies in the Philosophy of Science
Publication Date
2013
Volume
27
Issue
1
First Page
1
Last Page
21
Abstract
This paper investigates the nature of scientific realism. I begin by considering the anomalous fact that Bas van Fraassen's account of scientific realism is strikingly similar to Arthur Fine's account of scientific non-realism. To resolve this puzzle, I demonstrate how the two theorists understand the nature of truth and its connection to ontology, and how that informs their conception of the realism debate. I then argue that the debate is much better captured by the theory of truthmaking, and not by any particular theory of truth. To be a scientific realist is to adopt a realism-relevant account of what makes true the scientific theories one accepts. The truthmaking approach restores realism's metaphysical core-distancing itself from linguistic conceptions of the debate-and thereby offers a better characterization of what is at stake in the question of scientific realism.
DOI
10.1080/02698595.2013.783971
Print ISSN
02698595
E-ISSN
14699281
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2013 Taylor & Francis.
Access to external full text or publisher's version may require subscription.
Full-text Version
Accepted Author Manuscript
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Asay, J. (2013). Three paradigms of scientific realism: A truthmaking account. International Studies in the Philosophy of Science, 27(1), 1-21. doi: 10.1080/02698595.2013.783971