Philosophy Scientific Realism Questions Medium
Scientific realism and skepticism are two contrasting positions in the philosophy of science. While scientific realism asserts the existence of an external world that is independent of our perceptions and believes that scientific theories provide us with approximately true descriptions of this world, skepticism, on the other hand, doubts the possibility of obtaining knowledge about the external world.
Scientific realism holds that scientific theories aim to accurately represent the way the world actually is, and that they are successful in doing so to some extent. According to scientific realists, scientific theories are not merely useful tools or convenient fictions, but they provide us with genuine knowledge about the world. They argue that scientific progress is possible because our theories can be refined and improved over time, leading to a better understanding of reality.
Skepticism, on the other hand, questions the possibility of obtaining knowledge about the external world. Skeptics argue that our senses can be deceiving, and therefore, we cannot trust our perceptions to accurately represent reality. They highlight the limitations of human cognition and argue that our knowledge is inherently limited and fallible. Skeptics often emphasize the role of doubt and uncertainty, suggesting that we should be cautious in accepting any claims about the external world.
In summary, the main difference between scientific realism and skepticism lies in their stance towards the possibility of obtaining knowledge about the external world. Scientific realism asserts that scientific theories provide us with genuine knowledge about the world, while skepticism doubts the possibility of such knowledge due to the limitations of human cognition and the potential for deception.