The Epistemic Structural Realist Programme

Angelo Cei (University of Leeds)

Abstract: In this talk I am concerned with the possibility to grant scientific progress taking the results of science realistically. This option seems compromised by the fact that scientific knowledge periodically undergoes to deep theoretical changes and between the new and the old theories there seems to be little in common. I will assesses the prospects of Epistemic Structural Realism (ESR) to constitute a sound realist response to such deep historical changes in science. This aim is achieved by contrasting various forms of ESR with a case of theoretical change in the history of physics. In particular, I will devote my attention to the explanation of the Zeeman effect offered in Lorentz Theory of Electrons (see 1952) and how it looks from the perspective of Relativistic Electrodynamics. ESR nowadays features a variety of alternative views (see for instance Votsis, 2005 and Worrall,1989). I begin by highlighting the common features between such views and then I investigate the consequences of a conceptual problem that the case study makes evident. I argue that while this case seems favourable for an ESR approach it puts a considerable stress on the positions available. I finally show that the case at hand suggests an alternative version of Structural Realism that addresses the concerns in point.