more from Nancy Cartwright

Single Idea 16183

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 3. Best Explanation / c. Against best explanation]

Full Idea

There are a huge number of cases in the history of science where we now know our best explanations were false.

Gist of Idea

In science, best explanations have regularly turned out to be false

Source

Nancy Cartwright (How the Laws of Physics Lie [1983], 5.3)

Book Reference

Cartwright,Nancy: 'How the Laws of Physics Lie' [OUP 2002], p.97


A Reaction

[She cites Laudan 1981 for this] The Ptolemaic system and aether are the standard example cited for this. I believe strongly in the importance of best explanation. Only a fool would just accept the best explanation available. Coherence is needed.