Philosophy Scientific Realism Questions Medium
The theory of truth that underlies Scientific Realism is known as the correspondence theory of truth. According to this theory, truth is understood as a correspondence or agreement between a statement or belief and the way the world actually is. In the context of Scientific Realism, this means that scientific theories and claims are considered true if they accurately describe and explain the natural world.
Scientific Realism posits that scientific theories aim to provide an accurate representation of reality, and that the success of science in making accurate predictions and explanations is evidence of the truth of these theories. It holds that scientific theories should be understood as approximately true, meaning that they may not capture the complete truth about the world, but they are still reliable and provide the best available understanding of reality.
The correspondence theory of truth supports Scientific Realism by emphasizing the importance of empirical evidence and observation in determining the truth of scientific claims. It suggests that scientific theories are not merely subjective or socially constructed, but are grounded in objective facts about the world. This theory of truth provides a foundation for the realist stance that scientific knowledge is objective and independent of individual perspectives or cultural influences.