Abstract
I suggest that the issue of realism about science should be contextualized in terms of the peculiarities of particular disciplines and kinds of theories. Instead of any absolute and universal assertions for or against scientific realism we end up with a sort of relativization of realism. This amounts to a defence of concrete and local as against abstract and global philosophy of science. This suggestion is supported by using the case of economics as evidence.
Earlier versions have been presented at the Annual Conference of the History of Economics Society, Fairfax, 30 May–2 June, 1992, and at the conference on Realism and Anti-Realism in Science, Beijing, 15–17 June, 1992, and to audiences at the World Institute for Development Economics Research of the United Nations University and at the Hong Kong Institute of Economic Science. Thanks to the four audiences for lively discussions. Special thanks for helpful comments go to Siddiq Osmani, Nancy Wulwick, Victor Mok and, in particular, Alex Viskovatoff.
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Mäki, U. (1996). Scientific Realism and Some Peculiarities of Economics. In: Cohen, R.S., Hilpinen, R., Renzong, Q. (eds) Realism and Anti-Realism in the Philosophy of Science. Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science, vol 169. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8638-2_32
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-8638-2_32
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