Realistic From Far But Far From Realism: Withering Scientific Realism in the Quantum Case

TL;DR

This paper examines the debate between scientific realists and anti-realists, arguing that the core issue is not about realism itself but about the interpretation and narrative in scientific theories, especially in quantum physics.

Contribution

It challenges the traditional view of scientific realism by suggesting that realism was never truly at stake in the debate, focusing instead on the role of interpretation and narrative.

Findings

Realism is not central to the scientific debate.

Interpretations and narratives influence scientific understanding.

Quantum case exemplifies the limits of scientific realism.

Abstract

Much has been discussed in the philosophy of science about how we should understand the scientific enterprise. On the one hand, scientific realists believe that empirically adequate theories can be supplemented by interpretations that can mirror reality-as-it-is; on the other hand, anti-realists argue that this is not the case, as long as scientific theories make sufficiently accurate experimental predictions the addition of narratives is irrelevant for the scientific enterprise, and regarding narratives, it is preferable to remain agnostic. In this paper, we argue that realism was never really at stake in this debate.