Podcasts about scientific realism

Physics helps get stuff done. Its application has put rockets in space, semiconductors in phones, and eclipses on calendars. For some philosophers, this is all physics offers. It is a mere instrument, albeit of great power, giving us control over tangible things. It is a set of gears and widgets (wavefunctions, strings, even electrons) to crank out predictions. In contrast to instrumentalists, scientific realists argue that the success of theories shows that they map onto the structure of the world, symbols in equations carry the imprint of real entities.This is an old debate in the philosophy of science. While we touch on some arguments for either position, this episode focuses on the phenomenology of physics researchers. What do physicists believe? Céline Henne is a philosopher at the University of Bologna. Alongside Hannah Tomczyk and Christopher Sperber she has fielded the most comprehensive survey of the attitudes of physicists towards the reality of the objects of their study. From looking at the answers to dozens of questions from several hundred physicists, they have distinguished several camps of belief. It's an elegantly designed survey, simply reading the questions forces a consideration of one's own position. Take the survey at Multiverses.xyz to see if you are an instrumentalist or a realist (or a bit of both) Céline's homepage

Patreon: https://bit.ly/3v8OhY7 Sean Carroll is Homewood Professor of Natural Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University and fractal faculty at the Santa Fe Institute. He is also the host of Sean Carroll's Mindscape, a podcast about science, society, philosophy, culture, arts, and ideas. This is Sean's fourth appearance on the show. He appeared with David Albert of Columbia University on episode 106, which covers the Many-Worlds theory of quantum mechanics, Boltzmann Brains, and the fine-tuned universe. He was also on episode 118 with Slavoj Žižek on quantum physics, the multiverse, time travel, and a whole lot more, and then episode 200 with Daniel Dennett and Steven Pinker on AI, parapsychology, and consciousness. This episode is coming out in advance of Sean's next book, Quanta and Fields: The Biggest Ideas in the Universe (Penguin, 2024), which will be released on May 14, 2024. Sean and Robinson discuss many of the topics and themes of Quanta and Fields, including the books' namesake subjects, as well as more decides, like scientific realism, free will, the simulation hypothesis, and the end of physics. If you're interested in the foundations of physics—which you absolutely should be—then please check out the JBI, which is devoted to providing a home for research and education in this important area. Any donations are immensely helpful at this early stage in the institute's life. Sean's Website: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com Sean's Twitter: https://twitter.com/seanmcarroll Quanta and Fields (The Biggest Ideas in the Universe): https://a.co/d/gfMDLQo The John Bell Institute: https://www.johnbellinstitute.org OUTLINE 00:00 Introduction 5:00 The Biggest Ideas in the Universe 9:38 Do Physicists Understand Physics? 15:51 What Is the Role of Philosophers in Physics? 18:24 The Measurement Problem and Quantum Field Theory 20:24 Scientific Realism and the Standard Model of Particle Physics 25:11 What Is the Wave Function? 34:46 What Is Quantum Field Theory? 37:45 What Is the Fundamental Layer of Reality? 41:01 What Is the Standard Model of Particle Physics? 45:42 What Are the Fundamental Objects in the Standard Model of Particle Physics? 47:39 How Do We Test the Standard Model of Particle Physics? 49:38 What Are the Weaknesses of the Standard Model of Particle Physics? 54:41 Will We Ever Find a Theory of Everything? 56:19 Is String Theory the Final Theory of Physics? 58:14 String theory and the Fine-Tuning Problem 01:00:18 Is Quantum Gravity the End of Progress in Physics? 01:06:12 What is Philosophical Naturalism? 01:08:05 On Naturalized Epistemology 01:10:24 On the Philosophy of Mathematics 01:19:08 On Naturalizing Morality 01:22:33 The Myths of Quantum Entanglement 01:29:53 Is There Only One Electron? 01:34:09 Are Atoms Mostly Empty Space? 01:36:51 Are We Living in a Simulation? 01:39:58 Is Infinity a Problem for Quantum Mechanics?  01:41:59 The Mysteries of Quantum Mechanics Robinson's Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, and everyone in-between.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/robinson-erhardt/support

Tim Maudlin is Professor of Philosophy at NYU and Founder and Director of the John Bell Institute for the Foundations of Physics. Tim is renowned as one of the leading philosophers of physics, and he also works in the philosophy of science and metaphysics. This is Tim's fourth appearance on the show. Tim was also a guest on episode 46 (laws of nature, space, and free will), episode 67 with David Albert (the foundations of quantum mechanics), and episode 115 with Craig Callender (the philosophy of time). In this episode, Robinson and Tim dig into some of the crucial developments in the philosophy of science that took place during the 20th century. Then they move on to John Bell and the John Bell Institute for the Foundations of Physics. If you're interested in the foundations of physics—which you absolutely should be—then please check out the JBI, which is devoted to providing a home for research and education in this important area. Any donations are immensely helpful at this early stage in the institute's life. Tim's Website: www.tim-maudlin.site The John Bell Institute: https://www.johnbellinstitute.org OUTLINE 00:00 In This Episode… 00:41 Introduction 04:56 What's the Point of Philosophy of Science? 10:38 Carnap and Logical Positivism 26:30 Thomas Kuhn and the Structure of Scientific Revolutions 42:52 What is Scientific Realism? 01:02:44 Instrumentalism and Scientific Anti-Realism 01:06:08 Who Was John Bell? 01:20:15 Einstein, Quantum Mechanics, and Bell's Inequality 01:45:34 The John Bell Institute Robinson's Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, weightlifters, artists, and everyone in-between.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/robinson-erhardt/support

This lecture was given on July 13th, 2023, at the "Thomistic Philosophy & Natural Science Symposium" at the Dominican House of Studies. For more information on upcoming events, please visit our website: thomisticinstitute.org/upcoming-events Speaker Bio: Fr. Thomas Davenport, O.P. is a Dominican friar, physicist, and philosopher. He joined the faculty of philosophy at the Angelicum in Rome in 2020, where he co-leads the Project for Science and Religion. Before joining the Dominican order he studied physics at the California Institute of Technology before going on to earn his doctorate in physics from Stanford University studying theoretical particle physics. The focus of his scientific research is writing and testing simulations for high energy particle colliders like the LHC at CERN. After joining the Dominicans in 2010, he studied philosophy and theology in preparation for his ordination to the priesthood in 2017. In addition, he earned a Licentiate in Philosophy from the Catholic University of America, focusing on the philosophy of science and natural philosophy. For two years he was an Assistant Professor of Physics at Providence College in Providence, RI, where he taught physics and restarted a research program in particle physics. He has written and spoken in a number of forums on the relationship between faith and science including contributions to the Thomistic Evolution project and organizing conferences on science and philosophy for the Thomistic Institute in Washington, DC.

Bas van Fraassen is the McCosh Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at Princeton University and a Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at San Francisco State University. In addition to being one of the most recognized philosophers of science working today—he received the Philosophy of Science Association's inaugural Hempel Award—he has also worked in epistemology and logic. In this episode, Bas and Robinson discuss a major shift in the philosophy of science in the second half of the twentieth century from the view of the logical positivists, who had a formal, mathematical approach, to philosophers who adopted the semantic approach, which more closely aligned with how working scientists viewed and experienced the field. Some other issues touched on include scientific realism, Thomas Kuhn and The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, and interpretations of quantum mechanics. OUTLINE 00:00 In This Episode… 00:51 Introduction 03:47 An Interest in the Philosophy of Science 06:44 Logical Positivism 19:56 What is Scientific Realism? 30:56 Kuhn and The Structure of Scientific Revolutions 39:13 The Semantic Approach  54:49 The Quantum Mechanics Interpretation Wars 01:08:12 Mathematical Models 01:12:31 Epistemology Robinson's Website: ⁠http://robinsonerhardt.com⁠ Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, weightlifters, artists, and everyone in-between.  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/robinson-erhardt/support

Thomistic Scientific Realism And The Modelling Of Elementary Particles | Thomas Davenport, OP by Angelicum Thomistic Institute

David Papineau is Professor of Philosophy of Science at King's College London. He also teaches at the City University of New York Graduate Center, and before that he lectured in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at Cambridge. Robinson and David speak broadly about the philosophy of science. Some topics they touch on include the distinction between realism and antirealism, the role of a philosopher of science in actual scientific practice, and the current replication crisis. They finish with an introduction to the statistical theory of causation. For some background information, listen to David's episode of Philosophy Bites on scientific realism. The painting used in the “album art” comes by way of David's daughter, Katy Papineau. See her website for more information. David's most recent book is the Metaphysics of Sensory Experience (OUP 2021), a discussion of which will have to wait for another episode. You can keep up with David on his website, https://www.davidpapineau.co.uk, or via Twitter, @davidpapineau. Robinson's Website: http://robinsonerhardt.com OUTLINE: 00:00 In This Episode… 00:38 Introduction 4:51 David and the Philosophy of Science 10:32 The Philosopher's Role in Science 25:07 Scientific Realism and Anti-Realism 47:11 On Pessimistic Meta-Induction From Past Falsity 55:27 On The Replication Crisis in Science 1:15:21 The Statistical Theory of Causation Robinson Erhardt researches symbolic logic and the foundations of mathematics at Stanford University. Join him in conversations with philosophers, scientists, weightlifters, artists, and everyone in-between. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/robinson-erhardt/support

In this final installment of a four episode series, I take a look at criticisms of Thomas Kuhn's idea of incommensurable scientific paradigms. Kuhn makes use of a vague notion of seeing that allows him to say some surprising things about how people see the world. For example, Kuhn theorizes that 18th century scientists Joseph Priestley and Antoine Lavoisier would have had different visual experiences had they seen the same jar of oxygen on account of their belonging to different scientific paradigms. Further, we can see that by using Wittgenstein's work on rule following, that there is no easy way to define the borders of a community and Kuhn's work risks a relativism where every scientist belongs to an isolated paradigm of one. Finally, I take a look at Hillary Putnam's argument for scientific realism called the 'No Miracles Argument'. Though it is a simple argument, it does seem to make the most compelling case for the apparent everyday notion that most people have that science, at its best, offers the most accurate representation of the world.

In this episode, the aim of science is discussed. Boyd's Scientific Realism as the best explanation for the instrumental reliability of the scientific method is discussed. It is argued that it is indeed the best explanation for the instrumental reliability of science if there are two aims of theory: epistemological and metaphysical.

What makes science, science and pseudoscience, not? We explore a brief history of the scientific method and how it is used to increase our understanding of reality and where it falls short. This subject might not sound compelling but there are all lot of important themes in here which will be explored in more detail in future episodes so it is worth a listen to keep the broader topic of psychology and what constitutes knowledge in context. Show notesHistory of the scientific method – Martyn ShuttleworthInstrumentalismScientific realismSocial constructionismhttps://www.facebook.com/thehereandnowpodcast/ https://twitter.com/herenowpodcast emailthehereandnow@gmail.comSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/thehereandnowpodcast)

What if...guys, are you listening? What if the subjects of scientific theories...ACTUALLY EXIST?! OOOOOOH SNAP

Spending a lot of time cooped up inside and away from everyone you love is tough. Especially if they don't know you're alive. Ryan and Pauly wander into some more personal and philosophical thought while we talk about an incredible film, The Martian (2015). Music Fucking Funk - Royalty-Free Music by https://audiohub.com License: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Science in TNG, with Dr. Erin MacDonald. Dr Erin Macdonald is an astrophysicist, aerospace engineer, and host of the online series "Dr Erin Explains the Universe." She's also a huge Star Trek fan who was recently announced as a science consultant for the Star Trek franchise. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Joe Keegan, Amy Nelson, and Justin Oser are joined by Dr. Erin MacDonald to talk about the science in Star Trek and her work as a scientist, an engineer, a science fiction consultant, and a science communicator. The discussion includes the excitement of being a Star Trek science consultant, our favorite science moments in TNG, which advanced Star Trek technology (replicators, transporters, or warp drives) we're most likely to see within a hundred years, and much more! Listen/subscribe via: http://itunes.com/trekfm http://www.trek.fm/earl-grey/311 http://earlgrey.trekfm.libsynpro.com/rss Chapters Intro (00:01:14) Listener Feedback (00:02:55) Welcome, Erin! (00:06:55) Speed Round (00:17:40) Class M Planets (00:21:14) Betelgeuse (00:25:08) Replicators Coming (00:32:51) Phaser Rifles (00:38:18) Spore Drive (00:41:35) Science Fails (00:48:26) Science in TV (00:54:17) Favorite Science in TNG (01:03:53) New Discoveries (01:09:49) Final Thoughts (01:13:33) Closing (01:19:30) Runtime: 01:30:22 Hosts Joe Keegan Amy Nelson Justin Oser Guest Dr. Erin MacDonald Production Amy Nelson (Editor and Producer) Justin Oser (Producer) Joe Keegan (Producer) Tony Robinson (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Michael E Hueter (Associate Producer) Thomas Appel (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Chris Tribuzio (Associate Producer) Joe Keegan (Associate Producer) Jim McMahon (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Tony Robinson (Show Art)

Science in TNG, with Dr. Erin MacDonald.   Dr Erin Macdonald is an astrophysicist, aerospace engineer, and host of the online series "Dr Erin Explains the Universe." She's also a huge Star Trek fan who was recently announced as a science consultant for the Star Trek franchise. In this episode of Earl Grey, hosts Joe Keegan, Amy Nelson, and Justin Oser are joined by Dr. Erin MacDonald to talk about the science in Star Trek and her work as a scientist, an engineer, a science fiction consultant, and a science communicator. The discussion includes the excitement of being a Star Trek science consultant, our favorite science moments in TNG, which advanced Star Trek technology (replicators, transporters, or warp drives) we're most likely to see within a hundred years, and much more! Listen/subscribe via: http://itunes.com/trekfm http://www.trek.fm/earl-grey/311 http://earlgrey.trekfm.libsynpro.com/rss Chapters Intro (00:01:14) Listener Feedback (00:02:55)  Welcome, Erin! (00:06:55)  Speed Round (00:17:40)  Class M Planets (00:21:14)  Betelgeuse (00:25:08)  Replicators Coming (00:32:51) Phaser Rifles (00:38:18)  Spore Drive (00:41:35)  Science Fails (00:48:26)  Science in TV (00:54:17)  Favorite Science in TNG (01:03:53)   New Discoveries (01:09:49)    Final Thoughts (01:13:33)  Closing (01:19:30)  Runtime: 01:30:22 Hosts Joe Keegan Amy Nelson Justin Oser Guest Dr. Erin MacDonald Production Amy Nelson (Editor and Producer) Justin Oser (Producer) Joe Keegan (Producer) Tony Robinson (Producer) C Bryan Jones (Executive Producer) Matthew Rushing (Executive Producer) Ken Tripp (Executive Producer) Norman C. Lao (Associate Producer) Michael E Hueter (Associate Producer) Thomas Appel (Associate Producer) Justin Oser (Associate Producer) Chris Tribuzio (Associate Producer) Joe Keegan (Associate Producer) Jim McMahon (Associate Producer) Richard Marquez (Production Manager) Tony Robinson (Show Art)

My guest this week is Aaron Novick (@AmneMachin), assistant professor of philosophy at Purdue University. We combine together two often requested topics that might not seem related at first glance. We look first at the work of Zhuangzi, a 4th century Chinese philosopher, and then consider how it informs our modern discussion of the nature of science.Aaron's Website: https://www.aaronnovick.com/Invocation: Zhuangzi's Butterfly DreamEditing by Brian Ziegenhagen, check out his pod: http://youarehere.libsyn.com/s02e02-rex-manning-day?fbclid=IwAR2L2_YIJvQpcw0nx6nTSfz0GmyJ1DtWsF--vvdI9W1ug3XW7IAtU6dQ36sMusic by GW RodriguezSibling Pod Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/Support us at Patreon.com/EmbraceTheVoidIf you enjoy the show, please Like and Review us on your pod app, especially iTunes. It really helps!Next week: Letter.wiki with Clyde Rathbone

My guest this week isJohn Danaher, author of Automation and Utopia: Human Flourishing in a World Without Work. We go long to do a deep dive into every word in that title, and a few other topics as well. I really enjoyed John's book and highly recommend it to folks interested in the map of possible futures.Automation and Utopia: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674984240Invocation: Aaron's fevered mindEditing by Brian Ziegenhagen, check out his pod: http://youarehere.libsyn.com/s02e02-rex-manning-day?fbclid=IwAR2L2_YIJvQpcw0nx6nTSfz0GmyJ1DtWsF--vvdI9W1ug3XW7IAtU6dQ36sMusic by GW RodriguezSibling Pod Philosophers in Space: https://0gphilosophy.libsyn.com/Support us at Patreon.com/EmbraceTheVoidIf you enjoy the show, please Like and Review us on your pod app, especially iTunes. It really helps!Next week: Zhuangzi and Scientific Realism with Aaron Novick

معرفتنا بالعالم تجريبية في الاساس، لكن لو تلك المعرفة نتاج وسيط ما بينا وبين العالم وهو الافكار، إذن كيف نستطيع ان نجزم ان تلك المعرفة حقيقية ومستقرة، الفكرة دى أدركها ديفيد هيوم في القرن السابع عشر، وجادل ان بالرغم من ان لا يوجد أمامنا اختيار غير التظاهر بان هناك عالم خارجي إلا أن هذا الاعتقاد غير قائم على اى مبرر عقلاني. وشفنا ازاى بيركلي حاول حل الإشكالية دى بإنكار وجود أى أشياء في الواقع بجانب الأفكار. ودلوقتى .. فكر في النظريات العلمية اللى درستها في طفولتك و كائنتها العجيبة؟! .. ذرات، إلكترونات، موجات، خلايا، وفيروسات! ... ياترى هل فعلا هناك وجود حقيقي لهذة الكائنات في الواقع؟ .. وازاى نتأكد من وجودها إن كانت غير قابلة للمُلاحظة أو الادراك؟ .. هل العالم هو الصورة الظاهرية المُدركة؟ .. أم أن هناك صورة أخرى خفية بعيدة عن قدراتنا الادراكية؟ .. ياترى ماهي مهمة وهدف العلم؟ .. وهل هناك وجود لواقع مُستقل عن إدراكنا العقلي؟ .. أم ان الوجود مجرد نسيج عقلي بشرى؟ ... فكر تاني Continue reading →

Ought and thought

Richard Dawid (Vienna) gives a talk at the MCMP workshop "Quantum Gravity in Perspective" (31 May-1 June, 2013) titled "String Theory and Scientific Realism". Abstract: T-duality, which is an important feature of string theory, implies that the string scale constitutes a minimal length scale: within the conceptual framework of the theory, no higher energy scale can provide new information. This in turn may be taken to suggest that, if ST is valid at its own characteristic scale, no new theories which become empirically distinguishable from string theory at higher energy scales should be expected to be found. The problem with this final theory claim hinges on the fact that it seems to beg the question by presupposing the conceptual framwork the finality of which it aims to establish. In the talk I aim at understanding significance an limitations of string theorys final theory claim based on the distinction between local and global limitations to scientific underdetermination. It will be argued that the final theory claim does carry some weight but cannot be understood independently from more general considerations about the scientific role of limitations to underdetermination. Some implications of final theory claims for the scientific realism debate are discussed in the second part of the talk.

Radin Dardashti (MCMP/LMU) comments on Richard Dawid's "String Theory and Scientific Realism" at the MCMP workshop "Quantum Gravity in Perspective" (31 May-1 June, 2013).

The Department of Philosophy is pleased to present Dr Heather Dyke in conversation with Professor Alan Musgrave. In 2012 Alan Musgrave was honoured with the Distinguished Research Medal, the highest research honour given by the University of Otago. He also received the Humanities Aronui Medal from the Royal Society of New Zealand. Here he discusses his life, his career and his love of Philosophy. 28 November 2012.

The Department of Philosophy is pleased to present Dr Heather Dyke in conversation with Professor Alan Musgrave. In 2012 Alan Musgrave was honoured with the Distinguished Research Medal, the highest research honour given by the University of Otago. He also received the Humanities Aronui Medal from the Royal Society of New Zealand. Here he discusses his life, his career and his love of Philosophy. 28 November 2012.

The Department of Philosophy is pleased to present Dr Heather Dyke in conversation with Professor Alan Musgrave. In 2012 Alan Musgrave was honoured with the Distinguished Research Medal, the highest research honour given by the University of Otago. He also received the Humanities Aronui Medal from the Royal Society of New Zealand. Here he discusses his life, his career and his love of Philosophy. 28 November 2012.

Near the opening of his book A Metaphysics for Scientific Realism: Knowing the Unobservable (Cambridge University Press, 2007; paperback 2010), Anjan Chakravartty warns readers: snack before reading! Though the occasional exemplary slice of pumpkin pie and chocolate fudge brownies do sweetly sprinkle the narrative, fear not, intrepid reader: most of A Metaphysics for Scientific Realism is devoted to providing a unified account of a metaphysical proposal in support of one of the most crucial concepts in the philosophy of science, scientific realism. In the course of his masterfully written account, Chakravartty explains the core elements of major versions of contemporary realism with exceptional clarity, laying the foundations in a systematic way that makes the contours of the major debates around scientific realism comprehensible even to readers new to the philosophy of science. After a Part I that lays a foundation for the work, offering an account of the central commitments of realism as they have evolved over time, Parts II and III of the book delve more deeply into the metaphysical and epistemological issues surrounding the theories and claims about unobservable objects in the practice and history of science. It is a wonderfully rich and clearly organized work that is written with a sense of humor and rewards a close reading, and we had a good time talking about it. Enjoy!

Near the opening of his book A Metaphysics for Scientific Realism: Knowing the Unobservable (Cambridge University Press, 2007; paperback 2010), Anjan Chakravartty warns readers: snack before reading! Though the occasional exemplary slice of pumpkin pie and chocolate fudge brownies do sweetly sprinkle the narrative, fear not, intrepid reader: most of A Metaphysics for Scientific Realism is devoted to providing a unified account of a metaphysical proposal in support of one of the most crucial concepts in the philosophy of science, scientific realism. In the course of his masterfully written account, Chakravartty explains the core elements of major versions of contemporary realism with exceptional clarity, laying the foundations in a systematic way that makes the contours of the major debates around scientific realism comprehensible even to readers new to the philosophy of science. After a Part I that lays a foundation for the work, offering an account of the central commitments of realism as they have evolved over time, Parts II and III of the book delve more deeply into the metaphysical and epistemological issues surrounding the theories and claims about unobservable objects in the practice and history of science. It is a wonderfully rich and clearly organized work that is written with a sense of humor and rewards a close reading, and we had a good time talking about it. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Near the opening of his book A Metaphysics for Scientific Realism: Knowing the Unobservable (Cambridge University Press, 2007; paperback 2010), Anjan Chakravartty warns readers: snack before reading! Though the occasional exemplary slice of pumpkin pie and chocolate fudge brownies do sweetly sprinkle the narrative, fear not, intrepid reader: most of A Metaphysics for Scientific Realism is devoted to providing a unified account of a metaphysical proposal in support of one of the most crucial concepts in the philosophy of science, scientific realism. In the course of his masterfully written account, Chakravartty explains the core elements of major versions of contemporary realism with exceptional clarity, laying the foundations in a systematic way that makes the contours of the major debates around scientific realism comprehensible even to readers new to the philosophy of science. After a Part I that lays a foundation for the work, offering an account of the central commitments of realism as they have evolved over time, Parts II and III of the book delve more deeply into the metaphysical and epistemological issues surrounding the theories and claims about unobservable objects in the practice and history of science. It is a wonderfully rich and clearly organized work that is written with a sense of humor and rewards a close reading, and we had a good time talking about it. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Near the opening of his book A Metaphysics for Scientific Realism: Knowing the Unobservable (Cambridge University Press, 2007; paperback 2010), Anjan Chakravartty warns readers: snack before reading! Though the occasional exemplary slice of pumpkin pie and chocolate fudge brownies do sweetly sprinkle the narrative, fear not, intrepid reader: most of... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Near the opening of his book A Metaphysics for Scientific Realism: Knowing the Unobservable (Cambridge University Press, 2007; paperback 2010), Anjan Chakravartty warns readers: snack before reading! Though the occasional exemplary slice of pumpkin pie and chocolate fudge brownies do sweetly sprinkle the narrative, fear not, intrepid reader: most of A Metaphysics for Scientific Realism is devoted to providing a unified account of a metaphysical proposal in support of one of the most crucial concepts in the philosophy of science, scientific realism. In the course of his masterfully written account, Chakravartty explains the core elements of major versions of contemporary realism with exceptional clarity, laying the foundations in a systematic way that makes the contours of the major debates around scientific realism comprehensible even to readers new to the philosophy of science. After a Part I that lays a foundation for the work, offering an account of the central commitments of realism as they have evolved over time, Parts II and III of the book delve more deeply into the metaphysical and epistemological issues surrounding the theories and claims about unobservable objects in the practice and history of science. It is a wonderfully rich and clearly organized work that is written with a sense of humor and rewards a close reading, and we had a good time talking about it. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scientists talk about sub-atomic particles which are invisible to the eye. Do such particles really exist? Or are they simply convenient fictions that, for the moment at least, explain the observable phenomena? David Papineau discusses and defends scientific realism in this episode of Philosophy Bites.