Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • Introductory Topics in The Philosophy of Natural Science (Hacking, 1983)

    Uploaded by

    Matt Edbrooke
    22 views19 pages
    This document provides an overview and outline of Ian Hacking's 1983 book "Representing and Intervening". It discusses Hacking's views on scientific realism and the role of experimentation and observation in scientific progress. Key points include that Hacking argues scientific entities can be "created" through experimental manipulation and intervention in nature, and that the ability to spray or otherwise intervene with theoretical entities provides evidence for their realness and scientific realism. The document also notes some criticisms of Hacking's arguments, such as the lack of a fully worked out argument and issues around non-manipulable entities like black holes.

    Original Description:

    Original Title

    Hacking Presentation

    Copyright

    © Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)

    Available Formats

    PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document
    This document provides an overview and outline of Ian Hacking's 1983 book "Representing and Intervening". It discusses Hacking's views on scientific realism and the role of experimentation and observation in scientific progress. Key points include that Hacking argues scientific entities can be "created" through experimental manipulation and intervention in nature, and that the ability to spray or otherwise intervene with theoretical entities provides evidence for their realness and scientific realism. The document also notes some criticisms of Hacking's arguments, such as the lack of a fully worked out argument and issues around non-manipulable entities like black holes.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    22 views19 pages

    Introductory Topics in The Philosophy of Natural Science (Hacking, 1983)

    Uploaded by

    Matt Edbrooke
    This document provides an overview and outline of Ian Hacking's 1983 book "Representing and Intervening". It discusses Hacking's views on scientific realism and the role of experimentation and observation in scientific progress. Key points include that Hacking argues scientific entities can be "created" through experimental manipulation and intervention in nature, and that the ability to spray or otherwise intervene with theoretical entities provides evidence for their realness and scientific realism. The document also notes some criticisms of Hacking's arguments, such as the lack of a fully worked out argument and issues around non-manipulable entities like black holes.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    of 19

    Representing and Intervening:

    Introductory Topics in the Philosophy of Natural Science


    (Hacking, 1983)

    Contents:
    Section A (Representing)
    Section B (Intervening) Criticisms of Representing + Intervening Questions

    Rationality
    Rationality/ Realism Distinction

    Kuhn against Popper/ Carnap Question of rationality not addressed

    Theory and Entity Realism


    Realism and Anti-realism
    Theory/ Entity Distinction Independence of Theory/ Entity Realism Hackings Drift

    Causalist Entity Realism


    Materialism/ Causalism distinction Faraday and lines of force

    Experimental Entities created

    Inference to a Cause
    Inference to best explanation

    Scientific progress by hypothesis. Inference to a cause experiment as driver of scientific progress.

    Incommensurability
    Topic- , dissociation and meaningincommensurability Putnams Fregean correspondence-theory
    Used instrumentally to cite scientific realism as plausible.

    Reals and Representations


    All ideas lead to an idealist cul-desac

    People represent the world around them Neither theory realism nor antirealism represents the world sufficiently.

    Part B - Intervening
    Use of Experimentation/ Observation How does experimental science work?

    Experimentation
    Bacon and Experiment

    Focus on Experimental Science preceding theory


    Entities prior to theories.

    Observation Observation/ theory distinction


    Hansons theory-loaded observation Rationality implied Some loading of theory on apparatus

    Observation/ Intervention
    Cooperation required between experimentalists/ theoreticians Experimenter as alert and observant person.
    Experiment as active process.

    Case Study: Microscopes


    Dont just peer, interfere

    Low-level generalizations allow us to control/ create phenomena


    Breeds conviction for the scientist

    The Creation of Phenomena


    Experiments improved, not created Phenomena isolated and complexity analysed

    Case Study: Electrons


    Experimental manipulation as evidence for Scientific Realism Building of apparatus enabling experimentation

    If you can spray them, they are real


    Causalist entity realism and magnetic lines
    Ability to use theoretical entities to intervene in nature. Usage as a diverse set of activities

    Criticisms: Success of Theory


    Ability to formulate structures which explain and predict

    Evolutionary account of success

    Criticisms: Black Holes


    Cant manipulate them

    Comparison with occult powers Some entities only known through theory.

    Criticisms: Argument
    Little in the way of worked out argument
    However, provision of examples

    Primacy of experiment dont just peer, interfere!

    You might also like