Philosophy Scientific Realism Questions Medium
Scientific realism and pragmatism are two distinct philosophical positions that offer different perspectives on the nature of scientific knowledge and its relationship to reality.
Scientific realism is a philosophical stance that asserts the existence of an external, mind-independent reality that can be understood through scientific investigation. According to scientific realists, scientific theories aim to provide accurate descriptions of this reality, and scientific knowledge progresses as our theories become increasingly closer approximations of the truth. Scientific realists believe that scientific theories should be taken literally and that they provide us with genuine knowledge about the world.
On the other hand, pragmatism is a philosophical approach that emphasizes the practical consequences and usefulness of beliefs, theories, or actions. Pragmatists argue that the truth or value of a belief or theory lies in its practical consequences and its ability to solve problems or achieve desired outcomes. Pragmatism focuses on the practicality and effectiveness of scientific theories rather than their correspondence to an external reality. Pragmatists are more concerned with the usefulness and success of scientific theories in predicting and explaining phenomena rather than their ultimate truth.
In summary, the main difference between scientific realism and pragmatism lies in their respective views on the relationship between scientific theories and reality. Scientific realism emphasizes the correspondence between theories and an external reality, while pragmatism focuses on the practical consequences and usefulness of theories.