Models, scientific realism, the intelligibility of nature, and their cultural significance
In this article, I will view realist and non-realist accounts of scientific models within the larger context of the cultural significance of scientific knowledge. I begin by looking at the historical context and origins of the problem of scientific realism, and claim that it is originally of cultura...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English English |
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Elsevier
2011
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| Online Access: | http://eprints.um.edu.my/9347/1/Models%2C_scientific_realism%2C_the_intelligibility_or_nature%2C_and_their_cultural_significance.pdf http://eprints.um.edu.my/9347/2/Models%2C_scientific_realism%2C_the_intelligibility_of_nature%2C_and_their_cultural_significance.pdf |
| _version_ | 1825719691816992768 |
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| author | Abdul Murad, M.H.S. |
| author_facet | Abdul Murad, M.H.S. |
| author_sort | Abdul Murad, M.H.S. |
| collection | UM |
| description | In this article, I will view realist and non-realist accounts of scientific models within the larger context of the cultural significance of scientific knowledge. I begin by looking at the historical context and origins of the problem of scientific realism, and claim that it is originally of cultural and not only philosophical, significance. The cultural significance of debates on the epistemological status of scientific models is then related to the question of ‘intelligibility’ and how science, through models, can give us knowledge of the world by presenting us with an ‘intelligible account/picture of the world’, thus fulfilling its cultural-epistemic role. Realists typically assert that science can perform this role, while non-realists deny this. The various strategies adopted by realists and non-realists in making good their respective claims, is then traced to their cultural motivations. Finally I discuss the cultural implications of adopting realist or non-realist views of models through a discussion of the views of Rorty, Gellner, Van Fraassen and Clifford Hooker on the cultural significance of scientific knowledge. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-06T05:23:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | um.eprints-9347 |
| institution | Universiti Malaya |
| language | English English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-06T05:23:37Z |
| publishDate | 2011 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | um.eprints-93472014-03-04T09:28:57Z http://eprints.um.edu.my/9347/ Models, scientific realism, the intelligibility of nature, and their cultural significance Abdul Murad, M.H.S. B Philosophy (General) Q Science (General) In this article, I will view realist and non-realist accounts of scientific models within the larger context of the cultural significance of scientific knowledge. I begin by looking at the historical context and origins of the problem of scientific realism, and claim that it is originally of cultural and not only philosophical, significance. The cultural significance of debates on the epistemological status of scientific models is then related to the question of ‘intelligibility’ and how science, through models, can give us knowledge of the world by presenting us with an ‘intelligible account/picture of the world’, thus fulfilling its cultural-epistemic role. Realists typically assert that science can perform this role, while non-realists deny this. The various strategies adopted by realists and non-realists in making good their respective claims, is then traced to their cultural motivations. Finally I discuss the cultural implications of adopting realist or non-realist views of models through a discussion of the views of Rorty, Gellner, Van Fraassen and Clifford Hooker on the cultural significance of scientific knowledge. Elsevier 2011 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://eprints.um.edu.my/9347/1/Models%2C_scientific_realism%2C_the_intelligibility_or_nature%2C_and_their_cultural_significance.pdf application/pdf en http://eprints.um.edu.my/9347/2/Models%2C_scientific_realism%2C_the_intelligibility_of_nature%2C_and_their_cultural_significance.pdf Abdul Murad, M.H.S. (2011) Models, scientific realism, the intelligibility of nature, and their cultural significance. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part A, 42 (2). pp. 253-261. ISSN 0039-3681, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0039368110001123# |
| spellingShingle | B Philosophy (General) Q Science (General) Abdul Murad, M.H.S. Models, scientific realism, the intelligibility of nature, and their cultural significance |
| title | Models, scientific realism, the intelligibility of nature, and their cultural significance |
| title_full | Models, scientific realism, the intelligibility of nature, and their cultural significance |
| title_fullStr | Models, scientific realism, the intelligibility of nature, and their cultural significance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Models, scientific realism, the intelligibility of nature, and their cultural significance |
| title_short | Models, scientific realism, the intelligibility of nature, and their cultural significance |
| title_sort | models scientific realism the intelligibility of nature and their cultural significance |
| topic | B Philosophy (General) Q Science (General) |
| url | http://eprints.um.edu.my/9347/1/Models%2C_scientific_realism%2C_the_intelligibility_or_nature%2C_and_their_cultural_significance.pdf http://eprints.um.edu.my/9347/2/Models%2C_scientific_realism%2C_the_intelligibility_of_nature%2C_and_their_cultural_significance.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT abdulmuradmhs modelsscientificrealismtheintelligibilityofnatureandtheirculturalsignificance |