There Are No Such Things As Theories

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Steven French (Professor of Philosophy of Science, Professor of Philosophy of Science, University of Leeds)

There Are No Such Things As Theories

Steven French (Professor of Philosophy of Science, Professor of Philosophy of Science, University of Leeds)

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English

Oxford University Press
05 March 2020

Theory of art; Philosophy: logic; Philosophy: aesthetics; Philosophy of science

There Are No Such Things as Theories considers the fundamental question: what is a scientific theory? It presents a range of options - from theories are sets of propositions, to theories are families of models, abstract artefacts, or fictions - and highlights the various problems they all face. In so doing it draws multiple comparisons between theories and artworks: on the one hand, theories are like certain kinds of paintings with regard to their representational capacity; on the other, they are like musical works in that they can be multiply presented. An alternative answer to the question is then offered, drawing on the metaphysics of musical works: there are no such things as theories. Nevertheless, we can still talk about them, since that talk is made true by the various practices

that scientists engage in. The implications of this form of eliminativism for the realism debate is then discussed and it is concluded that this may offer a more flexible framework in which we can understand both the history and the philosophy of science in general.

By: Steven French (Professor of Philosophy of Science Professor of Philosophy of Science University of Leeds)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 242mm, Width: 160mm, Spine: 20mm
Weight: 1g
ISBN: 9780198848158
ISBN 10: 0198848153
Pages: 284
Publication Date: 05 March 2020
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

1: Theories as Sets of Propositions 2: Theories as Families of Models 3: Theories as Representations 4: Theories as Abstract Entities 5: Theories as Abstract Artefacts 6: Theories as Fictions 7: Theories . . . Eliminated! 8: Theories in History and Practice 9: Theories in the Realism Debate

Steven French obtained his PhD with Michael Redhead at the University of London in 1985. He has taught at universities in Brazil and the USA before moving to Leeds in 1993 where he is Professor of Philosophy of Science. He is the author of numerous books and papers in the philosophy of science and is currently Co-Editor-in-Chief of The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science.