Images of Empiricism: Essays on Science and Stances, with a Reply from Bas van Fraassen

by Bradley Monton

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199218844
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	11/24/2007
Series:	Mind Association Occasional Series
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	9.30(w) x 6.00(h) x 0.90(d)

Table of Contents

IntroductionPart I: The Scientific Image1. Constructive Empiricism and the Argument from Underdetermination, Maarten Van Dyck2. Why be Hanged for Even a Lamb, Nancy Cartwright3. The Epistemology of Constructive Empiricism, James Ladyman4. Underdetermination and Evidence, Alexander Bird5. An Empiricist Critique of Constructive Empiricism: The Aim of Science, Philip Percival6. Accepting Contradictions, Peter Lipton7. Putting a Bridle on Irrationality: An Appraisal of van Fraassen's New Epistemology, Stathis PsillosPart II: The Empirical Stance8. Taking an Empirical Stance, Ernan McMullin9. Six Degrees of Speculation: Metaphysics in Empirical Contexts, Anjan Chakravartty10. The Dilemma of Empiricist Belief, Chad Mohler11. Materialism, Stances, and Open-Mindedness, Michel Bitbol12. Can a Philosophical Position Consist in a Stance? or, How to be an Empiricist and a Philosopher at the Same Time, Anja Jauernig13. Farewell to Empiricism, Dien HoPart III: Van Fraassen's Reply14. From A View Of Science To A New Empiricism, Bas van Fraassen