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Is Scientific Realism Tenable?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2022

Wilfrid Sellars
Wilfrid Sellars*
Affiliation:
University of Pittsburgh
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Extract

  1. (1) This paper is an excellent example of putting a cart before the horses. It was originally conceived as a reply to my critics, of whom there have been many, and, in particular, to my fellow symposiasts, whose careful exploration of and sympathetic disagreement with certain views of mine which are not inappropriately labeled ‘scientific realism’ have deserved a response which they have so far not received.

  2. (2) Many of the criticisms could, I believe, be construed as matters of detail and countered by a myopic strategy of confessing error here and claiming misunderstanding there, all supported by a judicious use of self-quotation. And, in moderation, of course is not inappropriate. I have made mistakes and, I believe, I have been misunderstood, and where the relevant points are reasonably substantial they should be noted for the record.

Type
Part VI. Is Scientific Realism Tenable?
Information
PSA: Proceedings of the Biennial Meeting of the Philosophy of Science Association , Volume 1976 , Issue 2: Volume Two: Symposia and Invited Papers 1976 , 1976 , pp. 307 - 334
Copyright
Copyright © 1977 by the Philosophy of Science Association

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References

[1] Cornman, James. Perception, Common Sense and Science. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1975.Google Scholar
[2] Price, H.H. Perception. London: Methuen, 1932.Google Scholar
[3] Sellars, Wilfrid. “The Language of Theories.” In Current Issues in the Philosophy of Science. Edited by Feigl, H. and Maxwell, G.. New York: Holt, Rhinehart and Winston, 1961. Pages 57–77. (As reprinted in [7]. Pages 106-126.)Google Scholar
[4] Sellars, Wilfrid. “Phenomenalism.” In [7]. Pages 60-105.Google Scholar
[5] Sellars, Wilfrid. “Philosophy and the Scientific Image of Man.” In Frontiers of Science and Philosophy. Edited by R. Colodny.Google Scholar
[6] Sellars, Wilfrid. Science and Metaphysics. New York: Humanities Press, 1968.Google Scholar
[7] Sellars, Wilfrid. Science, Perception and Reality. New York: Humanities Press, 1963.Google Scholar
[8] Sellars, Wilfrid. “Scientific Realism or Irenic Instrumentalism.” In Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science Vol. 2. Edited by Cohen, R. and Wartofsky, M.. New York: Humanities Press, 1965. Pages 171–204.Google Scholar
[9] Sellars, Wilfrid. “Theoretical Explanation.” In Philosophy of Science: The Delaware Seminar Vol. II. Edited by Baumrin, B.. New York: Interscience Publishers, 1963. Pages 61–78.Google Scholar
[10] van Fraassen, B.C. “Wilfrid Sellars on Scientific Realism.” Dialogue 14(1975): 606–616.CrossRefGoogle Scholar