The Reality of the Unobservable
Subtitle: Observability, Unobservability and Their Impact on the Issue of Scientific Realism
By: edited by Evandro Agazzi, Massimo Pauri
Contributors: Pauri, Massimo
Series: Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science -- 215; Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science -- 215
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published: 2000
Place of publication: Dordrecht
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] :
Number of pages: 377
ISBN-13: 9789048154586; 9789401593915
Subjects: Philosophy (General); Quantum theory; Science; Genetic epistemology; Philosophy; Artificial intelligence
Description: The debate on realism in physics is usually focused on the reality of unobservable entities admitted in physical theories. This reality has been often denied (e.g., by Bas van Fraassen). The present book shows that observability is a very complex notion that does not really have direct implications on ontological issues related to the existence of the non-observable entities. This is shown through historical, philosophical and scientific considerations presented in the different parts of the book. Emphasis is also given to the role of experiments, measurement procedures and computer-analyzed data as interface between the theoretical and experimental cultures.
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