French, S (2017) Structural Realism and the Toolbox of Metaphysics. In: Agazzi, E, (ed.) Varieties of Scientific Realism: Objectivity and Truth in Science. Springer, Cham , Cham , pp. 227-244. ISBN 978-3-319-51607-3
Abstract
Recent developments in the scientific realism debate have resulted in a form of ‘exemplar driven’ realism that eschews general ‘recipes’ and instead focuses on the specific, ‘local’ reasons for adopting a realist stance in particular theoretical contexts. Here I suggest that such a move highlights even more sharply the need for the realist to incorporate a healthy dose of metaphysics in her position, particularly when it comes to the theories associated with modern physics. Turning to another set of recent developments, having to do with the relationship between metaphysics and science, I argue that the exemplar driven realist can appropriate certain current metaphysical devices to help make concrete her commitments. Specifically I focus on a kind of exemplar based structural realism and examine the adequacy of, first, the determinables-determinate relationship as presented by Wilson and, second, Paul’s ‘one category ontology, as such devices within this framework.
Metadata
Item Type: | Book Section |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Editors: |
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Keywords: | Higgs Boson; Structural Realism; Permutation Symmetry; Empirical Success; Ontic Structural Realism |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures (Leeds) > School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science (Leeds) > School of Philosophy (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 10 Feb 2017 14:21 |
Last Modified: | 23 Jun 2023 22:22 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Springer, Cham |
Identification Number: | 10.1007/978-3-319-51608-0_12 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:111470 |