Scientific realism, relativism and the problem of theory choice in science / Tee Sim Hui

• Main Author: Tee, Sim Hui
• Format: Thesis
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Q Science (General)
• Online Access: http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/4521/1/1%2DFront_Cover.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/4521/2/2%2DTitle_Page.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/4521/3/3%2DABSTRACT.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/4521/4/4%2DABSTRAK.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/4521/5/5%2DAcknowledgements.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/4521/6/6%2DTable_of_Contents.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/4521/7/7%2DChapter_1.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/4521/8/8%2DChapter_2.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/4521/9/9%2DChapter_3.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/4521/10/10%2DChapter_4.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/4521/11/11%2DEnd_Note_of_Chapter_4.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/4521/12/12%2DChapter_5.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/4521/13/13%2DEnd_Notes_of_Chapter_5.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/4521/14/14%2DChapter_6.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/4521/15/15%2DReferences.pdf; http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/4521/

Theory choice in science is a central and fascinating issue in the literature of philosophy of science that has been argued from different perspectives. One of the important problems in the thesis of theory choice is the rationality of theory choice. Interestingly, philosophers of science incline to defend the rationality of theory choice, regardless of their philosophical standpoint, by demonstrating that the criteria of choice are plausible and rational in promoting scientific progress. This study attempts to discuss and analyze the implications of the thesis of theory choice in scientific realism and relativism, which is a lacuna awaited to be filled. This study is by no means an exhaustive investigation on the problem of theory choice. The focus will be given to the plausibility of the criteria of theory choice, which is raised by different schools of thought, and its connection to scientific progress.