Authors
Abstract
The main aim of this paper is to tackle the issue of the viability of convergent realism in the philosophy of physics. To do this I present two arguments. Firstly I show, by means of an example taken from theoretical astrophysics and the general theory of relativity that Newtonian celestial mechanics must be wrong. Thus, it is senseless to claim that the Newtonian mechanics could be an approximation to relativity theory. Secondly I point to the existence of theoretical incompatibility between theories and/or theoretical models. If successive theories are incompatible with each other, and in the history of physics we can find plenty of cases of theoretical incompatibility, then it becomes also senseless to claim that science advances approaching to the truth or that mature theories of science (at least) are approximately true. In the epilogue of this paper, I voice my doubts about the possibility of an alleged metaphysics of science parallel to the philosophy of science.
Keywords:
References
Einstein, A. “¿Qué es la teoría de la relatividad?” Mis ideas y opinions. Barcelona: Bon Ton, 2000. Impreso.
Fine, A. “The Natural Ontological Attitude”. J. Leplin (ed.). Scientific Realism. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1984. Print.
Greene, B. El universo elegante. Supercuerdas, dimensiones ocultas y la búsqueda de una teoría final. Barcelona: Crítica/Planeta, 2001. Impreso.
Mumford, S. Dispositions. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003. Print.
---. Getting Causes from Powers. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011. Print.
Mumford, S. and M. Tugby. “What is the metaphysics of science”. Metaphysics and Science. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013. Print.
Popper, K. R. Sociedad abierta, universo abierto. Madrid: Tecnos, 1984. Impreso.
---. “On a realistic and commonsense interpretation of Quantum theory”. Quantum Theory and the Schism in Physics. London: Routledge, 1992. Print.
---. The Myth of the Framework. In defence of science and rationality. London: Routledge. 1994. Print.
---. Los dos problemas fundamentales de la epistemología. Madrid: Tecnos, 1998. Impreso.
Rivadulla, A. Revoluciones en física. Madrid: Editorial Trotta, 2003. Impreso.
---. Éxito, razón y cambio en física. Un enfoque instrumental en teoría de la ciencia. Madrid: Editorial Trotta, 2004. Impreso.
---. “Two Dogmas of Structural Realism. A Confirmation of a Philosophical Death Foretold”. Crítica. Revista Hispanoamericana de Filosofía. Abr. 2010: 3-29. Impreso.
---. “¿Puede la ciencia decidir el resultado del debate realismoantirrealismo? El papel de los modelos y las teorías en la metodología de la física”. Discusiones Filosóficas. Jul-dic. 2011: 113-130. Impreso.
---. Meta, método y mito en ciencia. Madrid: Editorial Trotta, 2015. Impreso.
Redmond, J., Pombo, O. y A. Nepomuceno (eds.). The Dynamic of Knowledge: From Reasoning to Epistemology. New York: Springer, 2015. Print.
Rorty, R. Truth and Progress. Philosophical Papers. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press., 1998. Print.
Smolin, L. The Trouble with Physics. The Rise of String Theory, the Fall of a Science, and What Comes Next. Boston-New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2007. Print.
Thagard, P. Computational Philosophy of Science. Cambrigde, MA: The MIT Press, 1988. Print.
Wigner, E. “The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Mathematics in the Natural Sciences”. Symmetries and Reflections. Indiana: Indiana University Press, 1967. Print.