Varieties of Scientific Realism

This book offers a comprehensive update on the scientific realism debate, enabling readers to gain a novel appreciation of the role of objectivity and truth in science and to understand fully the various ways in which antirealist conceptions have been subjected to challenge over recent decades. Authoritative representatives of different philosophical traditions explain their perspectives on the meaning and validity of scientific realism and describe the strategies being adopted to counter persisting antirealist positions. The coverage extends beyond the usual discussion of realism within the context of the natural sciences, and especially physics, to encompass also its applicability in mathematics, logic, and the human sciences. The book will appeal to all with an interest in the recent realist epistemologies of science, the nature of current philosophical debate, and the ongoing rehabilitation of truth as the legitimate goal of scientific research.

“The organization of the book is well thought out and user-friendly. The book is useful for newcomers to the field, since it helps to provide a sense of the diverse directions of the realism debate. It is also useful for the researchers, … discuss recent ideas in realism and provide a new impetus for further discussion.” (Raphael Kunstler, Lato Sensu, Vol. 06 (1), 2019)

Evandro Agazzi completed his studies in Philosophy at the Catholic University of Milan and in Physics at the State University of Milan. He became full professor in the Philosophy of Science at the University of Genoa in 1970 and also held the chair of Philosophical Anthropology, Philosophy of Nature, and Philosophy of Science at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland (1979–1998) and a chair in Philosophy in the Department of Humanities of the Autonomous Metropolitan University/Campus of Cuajimalpa, Mexico City (2009–2013). Professor Agazzi taught as a visiting professor at the Universities of Düsseldorf, Berne, Pittsburgh, Stanford, and Geneva, as well as at other universities for shorter periods. At present he is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Genoa and full Professor in the Department of Bioethics of Panamerican University, Mexico City. Professor Agazzi is President of the International Academy of Philosophy of Science (Brussels). He was also President, and is now Honorary President, of the International Federation of the Philosophical Societies (FISP), the International Institute of Philosophy (Paris). He has received many honors. He has been elected as a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (2012) and the Mexican Academy of Sciences (2012). His publications include more than 70 books, of which he is the author and/or editor, and almost 1000 papers and articles, including contributions to books, anthologies, encyclopedias, and journals. He is the editor of Epistemologia, an Italian journal for the philosophy of science, and is a consulting editor for several international journals.