Single Idea 12768

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 4. Explanation Doubts / a. Explanation as pragmatic]

Full Idea

The choice among theories in science may be a choice to accept in some sense falling far short of endorsement as true.

Gist of Idea

We accept many scientific theories without endorsing them as true

Source

Bas C. van Fraassen (The Empirical Stance [2002], 1.5)

Book Reference

Fraassen,Bas van: 'The Empirical Stance' [Yale 2002], p.14


A Reaction

When put like this, it is hard to deny the force of Van Fraassen's reservations about science. Lots of people, including me, use scientific theories as working assumptions for life, with nothing like full confidence in their truth.