Open AccessThe Relevance of Evidence from the History of Science in the Contemporary Realism/Anti-realism Debate
Author(s) -
K. Brad Wray
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
spontaneous generations
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1913-0465
DOI - 10.4245/sponge.v9i1.26986
Subject(s) - realism , relevance (law) , epistemology , history of science , critical realism (philosophy of perception) , philosophy , political science , law
It is widely assumed that it is the anti-realist who stakes his case on evidence from the history of science. I argue that (i) realists have failed to recognize the need to collect evidence from the history of science to support their methodological claims, and (ii) anti-realists do not rely on evidence from the history of science to the extent that many suggest.