Images of Empiricism: Essays on Science and Stances, with a Reply from Bas van Fraassen (Mind Association Occasional Series)

Thirteen specially written essays discuss topics from the work of Bas van Fraassen, one of the most important contemporary philosophers of science. The central and unifying theme of the volume is empiricism, an approach which van Fraassen developed most fully in The Scientific Image and The Empirical Stance . Thirteen of the world's leading experts in the field examine van Fraassen's defence of scientific anti-realism (which he sees as a core tenet of empiricism), as well as his claim that adopting a philosophical position like empiricism does not consist in holding a particular set of beliefs, but is rather a matter of taking a stance . Images of Empiricism concludes with an extensive and intriguing reply by van Fraassen, in which he develops and corrects his old views, and offers new insights into the nature of science, empiricism, and philosophy itself. Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgements......Page 8 Notes on contributors......Page 10 1. Introduction......Page 12 Part I: The Scientific Image......Page 20 2. Constructive Empiricism and the Argument from Underdetermination......Page 22 3. Why be Hanged for Even a Lamb?......Page 43 4. The Epistemology of Constructive Empiricism......Page 57 5. Underdetermination and Evidence......Page 73 6. An Empiricist Critique of Constructive Empiricism: The Aim of Science......Page 94 7. Accepting Contradictions......Page 128 8. Putting a Bridle on Irrationality: An Appraisal of van Fraassen’s New Epistemology......Page 145 Part II: The Empirical Stance......Page 176 9. Taking an Empirical Stance......Page 178 10. Six Degrees of Speculation: Metaphysics in Empirical Contexts......Page 194 11. The Dilemma of Empiricist Belief......Page 220 12. Materialism, Stances, and Open-Mindedness......Page 240 13. Must Empiricism Be a Stance, and Could it Be One? How to Be an Empiricist and a Philosopher at the Same Time......Page 282 14. Farewell to Empiricism......Page 330 Part III: Van Fraassen’s Reply......Page 346 15. From a View of Science to a New Empiricism......Page 348 C......Page 396 G......Page 397 M......Page 398 R......Page 399 W......Page 400 Contents 6 Acknowledgements 8 Notes on contributors 10 1. Introduction 12 Part I: The Scientific Image 20 2. Constructive Empiricism and the Argument from Underdetermination 22 3. Why be Hanged for Even a Lamb? 43 4. The Epistemology of Constructive Empiricism 57 5. Underdetermination and Evidence 73 6. An Empiricist Critique of Constructive Empiricism: The Aim of Science 94 7. Accepting Contradictions 128 8. Putting a Bridle on Irrationality: An Appraisal of van Fraassen’s New Epistemology 145 Part II: The Empirical Stance 176 9. Taking an Empirical Stance 178 10. Six Degrees of Speculation: Metaphysics in Empirical Contexts 194 11. The Dilemma of Empiricist Belief 220 12. Materialism, Stances, and Open-Mindedness 240 13. Must Empiricism Be a Stance, and Could it Be One? How to Be an Empiricist and a Philosopher at the Same Time 282 14. Farewell to Empiricism 330 Part III: Van Fraassen’s Reply 346 15. From a View of Science to a New Empiricism 348 Index 396 A 396 B 396 C 396 D 397 E 397 F 397 G 397 H 398 I 398 J 398 K 398 L 398 M 398 N 399 O 399 P 399 Q 399 R 399 S 400 T 400 U 400 V 400 W 400 The scientific image Constructive empiricism and the argument from underdetermination / Maarten Van Dyck Why be hanged for even a lamb? / Nancy Cartwright The epistemology of constructive empiricism / James Ladyman Underdetermination and evidence / Alexander Bird An empiricist critique of constructive empiricism : the aim of science / Philip Percival Accepting contradictions / Peter Lipton Putting a bridle on irrationality : an appraisal of van Fraassen's new epistemology / Stathis Psillos The empirical stance Taking an empirical stance / Ernan McMullin Six degrees of speculation : metaphysics in empirical contexts / Anjan Chakravartty The dilemma of empiricist belief / Chad Mohler Materialism, stances, and open-mindedness / Michel Bitbol Must empiricism be a stance, and could it be one? how to be an empiricist and a philosopher at the same time / Anja Jauernig Farewell to empiricism / Dien Ho Van Fraassen's reply From a view of science to a new empiricism / Bas C. van Fraassen Thirteen specially written essays discuss topics from the work of Bas C. van Fraassen, one of the most important contemporary philosophers of science. The central and unifying theme of the volume is empiricism, an approach which van Fraassen developed most fully in The Scientific Image and The Empirical Stance. Thirteen of the world's leading experts in the field examine van Fraassen's defence of scientific anti-realism (which he sees as a core tenet of empiricism), as well as his claim that adopting a philosophical position like empiricism does not consist in holding a particular set of beliefs, but is rather a matter of taking a stance. Images of Empiricism concludes with an extensive and intriguing reply by van Fraassen, in which he develops and corrects his old views, and offers new insights into the nature of science, empiricism, and philosophy itself. ## Abstract This book contains thirteen specially written chapters which discuss topics from the work of Bas C. van Fraassen, one of the most important contemporary philosophers of science. The central and unifying theme of the book is empiricism, an approach which van Fraassen developed most fully in The Scientific Image and The Empirical Stance. Thirteen experts examine van Fraassen's defence of scientific anti-realism (which he sees as a core tenet of empiricism), as well as his claim that adopting a philosophical position like empiricism does not consist of holding a particular set of beliefs, but is rather a matter of taking a stance. The book concludes with an extensive and intriguing reply by van Fraassen, in which he develops and corrects his old views, and offers new insights into the nature of science, empiricism, and philosophy itself. 13 specially written essays discuss topics from the work of Bas van Fraassen, one of the most important contemporary philosophers of science. The central and unifying theme of the volume is empiricism, an approach which van Fraassen developed most fully in 'The Scientific Image' and 'The Empirical Stance'