Three Tales of Scientific Success. Issue 5 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Massimi, Michela
• Is Part Of: Philosophy of science. Volume 83:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 757
• Page End: 767
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Science -- Periodicals; Science -- Philosophy; Science; Science -- Philosophy; Philosophie des sciences; Epistemology; Periodicals; 501
• DOI: 10.1086/687861
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1539-767X

Abstract

Abstract : Success-to-truth inferences have been the realist stronghold for a long time. Scientific success is the parameter by which realists claim to discern approximately true theories from false ones. But scientific success needs to be probed a bit deeper. In this article, I tell three tales of scientific success, by considering in turn success from nowhere, success from here now, and success from within. I argue for a suitable version of success from within that can do justice to the historically situated nature of our scientific knowledge. The outcome is a new way of thinking about success-to-truth inferences along perspectivalist lines.