The material realization of science : from Habermas to experimentation and referential realism / Hans Radder.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Radder, Hans.

Series:

Boston studies in the philosophy of science ; v.294.

Boston studies in the philosophy of science, 0068-0346 ; v.294

Standardized Title:

Materiële realisering van wetenschap. English

Language:

Dutch

English

Subjects (All):

Habermas, Jürgen.

Science--Philosophy.

Science.

Physical Description:

xix, 205 pages ; 25 cm.

Edition:

Revised edition, with a new postscript.

Place of Publication:

Dordrecht : Springer, [2012]

Language Note:

Translation from the Dutch.

Summary:

This book develops a conception of science as a multi-dimensional practice, which includes experimental action and production, conceptual-theoretical interpretation, and formal-mathematical work. On this basis, it addresses the topical issue of scientific realism and expounds a detailed, referentially realist account of the natural sciences. This account is shown to be compatible with the frequent occurrence of conceptual discontinuities in the historical development of the sciences. Referential realism exploits several fruitful ideas of Jürgen Habermas, especially his distinction between objectivity and truth; it builds on an in-depth analysis of scientific experiments, including their material realization; and it is developed through an extensive case study in the history and philosophy of quantum mechanics. The new postscript explains how the book relates to several important issues in recent philosophy of science and science studies. Book jacket.

Contents:

Part I Habermas and the Philosophy of Science

1 Habermas's Philosophy of the Natural Sciences 3

1.1 Introductory Remarks 3

1.2 The Aim of Habermas'sEpistemology 4

1.3 Two Fundamental Distinctions 7

1.3.1 Purposive-Rational and Communicative Action 7

1.3.2 Communicative Action and Discourse: Two Forms of Communication 9

1.4 The Constitution Theory and the Role of Experiment 11

1.4.1 Objectivity of Experience and the Categorial Structure of Object-Domains 12

1.4.2 The Experiment in the Natural Sciences 15

1.5 The Consensus Theory of Truth 17

1.5.1 What Is Truth? 17

1.5.2 Grounded Consensus as the Criterion of Truth 20

1.5.3 The Formal Characteristics of Discourse 23

1.5.4 The Ideal Speech Situation 25

1.6 Objectivity and Truth 27

2 Habermas on Objectivity and Truth: Analysis and Critique 31

2.1 Introductory Remarks 31

2.2 The Transcendental Method and the Role of Experiment 31

2.2.1 On the Constitution of Objectivity 32

2.2.2 The Role of Experiment in Habermas 36

2.3 A Critique of Habermas's Theory of Truth 38

2.3.1 On the Meaning of Truth 39

2.3.2 The Inadequacy of the Criterion of Truth 40

Part II Experimentation and Referential Realism

3 Experimentation in the Natural Sciences 53

3.1 Introductory Remarks 53

3.2 The Theoretical Description of Experiments 54

3.3 Experimentation as Material Realization 62

3.4 Experimental Production and the Possibility of Realism 69

4 Verifiability and Reference, Relativism and Realism 73

4.1 Introductory Remarks 73

4.2 Verifiability 74

4.3 Conceptual Discontinuity and Scientific Realism 81

4.4 A Criterion of (Co)reference 93

4.5 A "Realistic" Realism 105

5 Specification and Application: Two Case Studies from the History and Philosophy of Quantum Mechanics 113

5.1 Introductory Remarks 113

5.2 The Correspondence Principle and the Historical Development of Quantum Mechanics 113

5.2.1 Bohr 1913: Correspondence as Numerical Agreement 115

5.2.2 Correspondence and Conceptual Continuity: 1916-1922 118

5.2.3 Numerical and Formal Correspondence: 1923-1925 124

5.2.4 Correspondence and Material Realization 131

5.2.5 Philosophical Conclusions 135

5.3 The Measurement Problem in Quantum Mechanics 140

5.3.1 Measurement Problem and Realism 144

5.3.2 The Measurement Problem as a Problem of Correspondence 147

5.3.3 Quantum-Mechanical Measuring Process and Communication 149

Conclusion 155

Postscript 2012 161

1 Habermas and the Philosophy of the Natural Sciences 162

2 Scientific Experimentation 166

3 Referential Realism 169

3.1 A Realist Ontology 169

3.2 A Referentially Realist Epistemology 172

3.3 Referential Realism, Constructive Empiricism, and Constructive Realism 174

3.4 Referential and Instrumental Realism 176

3.5 Referential Realism and "Materialist" Science Studies 178

3.6 Referential and Structural Realism 180

3.7 Referential Realism and Idealist Antirealism 183

4 Philosophy and History of Quantum Mechanics 185

5 Science and Technology 187

6 A Multi-dimensional Account of Science and Philosophy of Science 188.

Notes:

Originally presented as the author's dissertation (doctoral)--Vrije Universiteit te Amsterdam, 1984.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9789400741065

9400741065

OCLC:

796274207