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2006, The Western Ontario Series in Philosophy of Science
HB) ISBN-13 978-1-4020-4875-3 (HB) ISBN-10 1-4020-4876-9 (e-book) ISBN-13 978-1-4020-4876-0 (e-book) Published by Springer,
2021
Symmetry fundamentalism claims that symmetries should be taken metaphysically seriously as part of the fundamental ontology. The main aim of this paper is to bring some novel objections against this view. I make two points. The first places symmetry fundamentalism within a broader network of philosophical commitments. I claim that symmetry fundamentalism entails idealization realism which, in turn, entails the reification of further theoretical structures. This might lead to an overloaded ontology as well as open the way to criticisms from metaphysical frameworks that reject such reifications. The second point contrasts symmetry fundamentalism with the now common view that regards symmetries as stipulations guiding empirical research and theory construction. I claim that both views clash each other and cannot be held together. I finish the paper with a more positive prospect that will be developed in future work-symmetry deflationism.
Synthese, 2022
In the recent philosophical literature, several counterexamples to the interpretative principle that symmetry-related models are physically equivalent have been suggested (Belot 2013, Belot 2018, Fletcher 2020). Arguments based on these counterexamples can be understood as arguments from scientific practice of roughly the following form: because in scientific practice such-and-such symmetry-related models are treated as representing distinct physical situations, these models indeed represent distinct physical situations. In this paper, a strategy for analysing arguments of this type is presented and applied to the examples that can be found in the literature. I argue that if we are exclusively interested in models understood as representing entire possible worlds (not their subsystems), arguments from scientific practice should involve some additional assumptions to guarantee that they are relevant for models understood in this way. However, none of the examples presented in the literature satisfy all these additional assumptions, which leads to the conclusion that arguments from scientific practice based on these examples do not undermine the interpretative principle that different symmetry-related models represent the same possible world.
SYMMETRY: THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING, 1997
This paper is critical of reductionist theories of everything (TOE) and proposes instead an outline for a holistic TOE based on symmetry. Symmetry is entirely omnipresent in the universe, it has a relational architecture and can be characterised by its formative, energetic and infinite potentials as well as its basis in meaning and consciousness. These inclusive and generic features combine to provide the necessary holistic attributes for a successful theory of everything. The history of physics is a history of the unification of science. Newton, Maxwell, Einstein, and Bohr each developed a series of symmetrical connections which were previously unknown. Perhaps because of these isomorphic developments the search for a theory of everything (TOE), a theory that can explain the basic laws of the entire universe in all its infinitely subtle detail, appears more than an act of faith. At the heart of a TEO are the concepts of unity and unification and these have been the outcomes of physics for the last three hundred years.
Within the framework of a semantic view of theories, such as the constructive empiricism advocated by van Fraassen, it is shown that the empiricist position naturally leads to symmetry principles in the construction of models in physics. As a consequence of those symmetry constraints, it is argued that a selective form of realism for theoretical objects is more plausible than antirealism. Several examples drawn from space-time physics, static and mechanics are discussed, particularly the transition from Cartesian to Newtonian mechanics.
New Approaches to Scientific Realism, 2020
Scientific realism plays a central role in the philosophico-methodological discussions on research. Two are the main directions in the contributions made to scientific realism: the "internal" line and the "external" path. Following the first line, there are new visions of realism focused on central aspects of science: semantic, logic, epistemological, methodological, ontological, axiological, and ethical components. When the route follows the second path, realism in science is seen as interrelated with realism in technology and as connected to a philosophical approach to society. Altogether there is now a plethora of characterizations of scientific realism, and this paper presents the main contemporary versions of scientific realism. The analysis of the central tenets of the recent views on scientific realism contributes to present this book, which offers novelty to the ongoing debate on scientific realism.
Symmetry
Nature organizes itself using the language of symmetries [...]
Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2011
After an historical introduction of the concept of symmetry, the many ways in which symmetry is used today in physics are briefly reviewed. A new concept, super-symmetry, introduced in the 1970's is also briefly reviewed, and the only experimental example of supersymmetry in physics presented. The future of symmetry in physics is briefly discussed. 1. The notion of symmetry Symmetry, from the Greek σύμμετρος (well-ordered, well-proportioned) was originally introduced to describe certain properties of artifacts (Polykleitos, Περι βελοποιϊκών, IV, 2). All ancient civilizations used this concept. Two examples are shown in figures 1 and 2.
European Journal for Philosophy of Science
Symmetry-based inferences have permeated many discussions in philosophy of physics and metaphysics of science. It is claimed that symmetries in our physical theories would allow us to draw metaphysical conclusions about the world, a view that I call ‘symmetry inferentialism’. This paper is critical to this view. I claim that (a) it assumes a philosophically questionable characterization of the relevant validity domain of physical symmetries, and (b) it overlooks a distinction between two opposing ways through which relevant physical symmetries become established. My conclusion is that symmetry inferentialism loses persuasive force when these two points are taken into consideration.
Inferences from scientific success to the approximate truth of successful theories remain central to the most influential arguments for scientific realism. Challenges to such inferences, however, based on radical discontinuities within the history of science, have motivated a distinctive style of revision to the original argument. Conceding the historical claim, selective realists argue that accompanying even the most revolutionary change is the retention of significant parts of replaced theories, and that a realist attitude towards the systematically retained constituents of our scientific theories can still be defended. Selective realists thereby hope to secure the argument from success against apparent historical counterexamples. Independently of that objective, historical considerations have inspired a further argument for selective realism, where evidence for the retention of parts of theories is itself offered as justification for adopting a realist attitude towards them. Given the nature of these arguments from success and from retention, a reasonable expectation is that they would complement and reinforce one another, but although several theses purport to provide such a synthesis the results are often unconvincing. In this paper I reconsider the realist's favoured type of scientific success, novel success, offer a revised interpretation of the concept, and argue that a significant consequence of reconfiguring the realist's argument from success accordingly is a greater potential for its unification with the argument from retention. 1 Musgrave (1988) argues that 'careful realists', at least since Whewell, have always intended the verification of novel predictions in discussions of scientific success. Worrall (1989b), , and Psillos (1999) each argue the importance of peculiarly novel success; many recent antirealist arguments also now pay particular attention to such results. 2 The most famous example of the antirealist challenge from the history of science is . Many interpret Laudan as defending a (pessimistic meta-) induction that implies our own theories are destined for replacement by new theories, radically incongruent with our own. Others (for example argue convincingly that Laudan should instead be understood as merely providing examples that at least appear to undermine the credibility of the realist's inference from success to approximate truth. On either interpretation historical considerations present the realist with a significant challenge.
2018
There is no subscription or membership fee. Spontaneous Generations provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.
2004
Being asked to review a book like this one is somewhat akin to being invited to someone else's family reunion-and then handed the microphone and being asked for your opinion, not only of the event, but of all the various family members to whom you have just been introduced and the patriarch who has made it all possible. This selection of Bunge's work covers a lot of ground-ground carefully selected not only by the editor (and colleague of Bunge), but by Bunge himself, whom we are told has written and revised many of the pieces specifically for this anthology. A total of thirty essays in nine categories are included, on: metaphysics; methodology and philosophy of science; philosophy of mathematics; philosophy of physics; philosophy of psychology; philosophy of social science; philosophy of technology; moral philosophy; and finally social and political philosophy. Published to mark Bunge's 80th birthday, this book provided the opportunity for Bunge to select which of his ideas to highlight for the future generations of scholars and teachers unable or unwilling to plough through the myriad publications of a prolific scholarly career, a selection in which Mahner is obviously complicit. So, like the unfortunate guest at the family reunion, I need to distinguish certain areas for comment, and phrase that commentary very carefully.
New Approaches to Scientific Realism, , 2020
Scientific realism plays a central role in the philosophico-methodological discussions on research. There are two are the main directions in the contributions made to scientific realism: the “internal” line and the “external” path. Following the first line, there are new visions of realism focused on central aspects of science: semantic, logic, epistemological, methodological, ontological, axiological, and ethical components. When the route follows the second path, realism in science is seen as interrelated with realism in technology and as connected to a philosophical approach to society. Altogether there is now a plethora of characterizations of scientific realism, and this paper presents the main contemporary versions of scientific realism. The analysis of the central tenets of the recent views on scientific realism contributes to present this book, which offers novelty to the ongoing debate on scientific realism.
Essays in Philosophy
Being asked to review a book like this one is somewhat akin to being invited to someone else's family reunion-and then handed the microphone and being asked for your opinion, not only of the event, but of all the various family members to whom you have just been introduced and the patriarch who has made it all possible. This selection of Bunge's work covers a lot of ground-ground carefully selected not only by the editor (and colleague of Bunge), but by Bunge himself, whom we are told has written and revised many of the pieces specifically for this anthology. A total of thirty essays in nine categories are included, on: metaphysics; methodology and philosophy of science; philosophy of mathematics; philosophy of physics; philosophy of psychology; philosophy of social science; philosophy of technology; moral philosophy; and finally social and political philosophy. Published to mark Bunge's 80th birthday, this book provided the opportunity for Bunge to select which of his ideas to highlight for the future generations of scholars and teachers unable or unwilling to plough through the myriad publications of a prolific scholarly career, a selection in which Mahner is obviously complicit. So, like the unfortunate guest at the family reunion, I need to distinguish certain areas for comment, and phrase that commentary very carefully.
2004
Seeing Through Symmetry is a course that introduces non-science majors to the pervasive influence of symmetry in science. The concept of symmetry is usedboth as a link between subjects (such as physics, biology, mathematics, music, poetry, and art) and as a method within a subject. This is done through the development and use of interactive multimedia learning environments to stimulate learning. Computer-based labs enable the student to further explore the concept by being gently led from the arts to science. This talk is an update that includes some of the latest changes to the course. Explanations are given on methodology and how a variety of interactive multimedia tools contribute to both the lecture and lab portion of the course (created in 1991 and taught almost every semester since then, including one in Sweden).
The paper focuses on a project aimed at communicating to non scientists the ’cultural essence’ of the Standard Model of Physics – one of the most advanced intellectual achievements of contemporary physics. The project is based on the hypothesis that the cultural essence can be reached and analysed through the exploration of the meaning of ’Symmetry’ in XX Century. The teaching actions designed so far are presented in the paper. Each action is addressed to a particular audience: general public, secondary school students and university students. Strategies adopted and problematic issues are discussed.
Spontaneous Generations: A Journal for the History and Philosophy of Science
The present paper concerns how scientific realism is formulated and defended. It is argued that van Fraassen is fundamentally right that scientific realism requires metaphysics in general, and modality in particular. This is because of several relationships that raise problems for the ontology of scientific realism, namely those between: scientific realism and common sense realism; past and current theories; the sciences of different scales; and the ontologies of the special sciences and fundamental physics. These problems are related. It is argued that ontic structural realism, in the form of the real-patterns account of ontology, offers a unified solution to them all (or at least that it is required to do so, if it is to make good on the promise of naturalised metaphysics).
THE ROUTLEDGE COMPANION TO PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE, 2008
A WORTHWHILE REVIEW 648 PAGES TO BE ENJOYED ON A QUIET NIGHT OR TWO The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Science is an outstanding guide to the major themes, movements, debates and topics in philosophy of science. Fifty-five entries by a team of renowned international contributors are organized into four parts: • Historical and Philosophical Context • Debates • Concepts • Individual Sciences The Companion begins with a critical examination of how philosophy of science has been involved in a mutually fruitful interaction with philosophical theories in areas such as metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophy of language, and reassesses the major schools of philosophy of science in the twentieth century. The second part explores the development of current debates among philosophers and scientists on issues such as confirmation, explanation, realism, scientific method, and the ethics of science. Part three discusses controversial concepts such as causation, prediction, unification, observation, and probability that lie at the heart of many disputes about science and scientific theories. The final part addresses some of the main philosophical problems that arise within eight branches of science: biology, chemistry, cognitive science, economics, mathematics, physics, psychology, and the social sciences. The Routledge Companion to Philosophy of Science is essential reading for anyone interested in philosophy of science and the connections between philosophy and the natural and social sciences. Stathis Psillos is an Associate Professor of Philosophy of Science at the University of Athens, Greece. He is the author of Scientific Realism: How Science Tracks Truth (Routledge), Causation and Explanation and Philosophy of Science A–Z. Martin Curd is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Purdue University, USA. He is co-editor (with Jan Cover) of Philosophy of Science: The Central Issues. PART I Historical and philosophical context 1 1 The epistemology of science after Quine 3 PAUL A. ROTH 2 The history of philosophy and the philosophy of science 15 JOANNE WAUGH AND ROGER ARIEW 3 Metaphysics 26 Stephen Mumford 4 Philosophy of language 36 Rod Bertolet 5 The role of logic in philosophy of science 47 Diderik Batens 6 Critical rationalism 58 Gürol Irzik 7 The historical turn in the philosophy of science 67 ALEXANDER BIRD 8 Logical empiricism 78 Thomas Uebel 9 Pragmatism and science 91 Robert Almeder Part II Debates 101 10 Bayesianism 103 Colin Howson 11 Confirmation 115 ALAN HÁJEK AND JAMES M. JOYCE 12 Empiricism 129 Elliott Sober vi 13 Essentialism and natural kinds 139 BRIAN ELLIS 14 Ethics of science 149 David B. Resnik 15 Experiment 159 Theodore Arabatzis 16 Explanation 171 JAMES Woodward 17 The feminist approach to the philosophy of science 182 CASSANDRA L. PINNICK 18 Inference to the best explanation 193 Peter Lipton 19 Laws of nature 203 Marc Lange 20 Naturalism 213 RONALD N. GIERE 21 Realism/anti-realism 224 Michael Devitt 22 Relativism about science 236 Maria Baghramian 23 Scientific method 248 Howard Sankey 24 Social studies of science 259 ROBERT NOLA 25 The structure of theories 269 Steven French 26 Theory-change in science 281 John Worrall 27 Underdetermination 292 Igor Douven 28 Values in science 302 GERALD DOPPELT vii Part III Concepts 315 29 Causation 317 Christopher Hitchcock 30 Determinism 327 Barry Loewer 31 Evidence 337 Peter Achinstein 32 Function 349 D. M. WALSH 33 Idealization 358 James Ladyman 34 Measurement 367 HASOK CHANG AND NANCY CARTWRIGHT 35 Mechanisms 376 Stuart Glennan 36 Models 385 DEMETRIS PORTIDES 37 Observation 396 ANDRé KUKLA 38 Prediction 405 MALCOLM FORSTER 39 Probability 414 Maria Carla Galavotti 40 Reduction 425 Sahotra Sarkar 41 Representation in science 435 PAUL TELLER 42 Scientific discovery 442 Thomas Nickles 43 Space and time 452 OLIVER POOLEY 44 Symmetry 468 Margaret Morrison viii 45 Truthlikeness 478 Graham Oddie 46 Unification 489 TODD JONES 47 The virtues of a good theory 498 Ernan McMullin Part IV Individual sciences 509 48 Biology 511 Alexander Rosenberg 49 Chemistry 520 Robin FINDLAY Hendry 50 Cognitive science 531 Paul Thagard 51 Economics 543 USKALI MÄKI 52 Mathematics 555 PETER CLARK 53 Physics 567 SIMON SAUNDERS 54 Psychology 581 RICHARD SAMUELS 55 Social sciences 594 HAROLD KINCAID Index 605 THEN AS A COMPLEMENTARY READING https://www.academia.edu/2807083/In_defence_of_scientism
Draft of a review of Varieties of Scientific Realisme, édited by E. Agazzi (Springer, 2017).
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