Restrictions without refutations of physical theories. Some elements for the debate realism-instrumentalism. [Spanish]

Authors

  • Andrés Rivadulla Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Keywords:

Extension and restriction of theory domains, realism, instrumetalism, philosophy of physics,

Abstract

The main aim of this paper is to argue on behalf of instrumentalism in the philosophy of physics. Following Theo Kuipers’ terminology of domain extension and domain restriction I claim, contradicting him, that the methodology of domain revision can only support an antirealist approach to the theory of physics. The existence of both extensions and restrictions of the application domain of theoretical models and the theoretical incompatibility between successive theories provide respectively with minor and
major arguments for instrumentalism in physics

Author Biography

Andrés Rivadulla, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Departamento de de Lógica y Filosofía de la Ciencia

Issue

Section

Articles