Grünbaum Memorial Lecture - Wayne C. Myrvold - “No only to anti-realism”: Some skeptical thoughts on scientific realism

Wayne Myrvold (University of Western Ontario)

The Center for Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh invites you to join us for our 66th Annual Lecture Series Talk. Attend in person in room 1008 in the Cathedral of Learning (10th Floor)  or visit our live stream on YouTube at  Wayne C. Myrvold (The University of Western Ontario)

Friday, March 20th @ 3:30 pm - 5:30pm EDT

1008 Cathedral of Learning 

Title:  “No only to anti-realism”: Some skeptical thoughts on scientific realism

Abstract: 

Debates about scientific realism and anti-realism have been a prominent part of the landscape of philosophy of science for the past few decades, which have seen a proliferation scientific realisms and anti-realisms. Nearly 40 years ago Howard Stein, from whom I borrow my title, added a skeptical voice to these discussions, arguing that the issue between scientific realists and its opponents had not been clearly drawn. This talk takes up that skeptical thread. I will argue, first, for the modest conclusion that we should believe whatever we have sufficiently good evidence for. As this includes the existence of some things (including atoms) that are not directly observable, this modest conclusion involves rejection of any form of anti-realism that involves a prohibition against accepting the existence of unobservable entities. A mere absence of a prohibition, however, hardly deserves to be elevated into a philosophical position, hence I don’t consider my view to be adding to the menagerie of versions of “scientific realism.” I doubt that there is any defensible position worthy of that name.

Can’t make it in-person? This talk will available online through the following:

 Zoom: TBA 

YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.

Adolf Grünbaum Memorial Lecture

Adolf Grünbaum was the first Andrew Mellon Professor of Philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh from 1960, when he was hired away from Lehigh, until his death in November 2018. He was the world preeminent philosopher of physics of his generation, and he was instrumental in building philosophy and philosophy of science at Pitt. Among other things, Adolf founded the Center for Philosophy of Science in 1960, and remained its director until 1978. Adolf also inaugurated the Annual Lecture Series in 1961, and so this is the 66th occurrence of this lecture series.

His works include very important books such as Philosophical Problems of Space and Time (1963) and The Foundations of Psychoanalysis (1984). In honor and memory of his legacy of prolific and profound contributions to the field of philosophy, the Center has established an annual Adolf Grünbaum Memorial Lecture thanks to a gift from his daughter Barbara Grünbaum and her family. We are extremely grateful for this gift. We are delighted that this year the Adolf Grünbaum memorial lecture will be given by Professor Wayne Myrvold. To learn more about past speakers, use the link here: https://www.centerphilsci.pitt.edu/events-and-more/annual-lecture-series/grunbaum-memorial-lecture/