Selektivní realismus a kalorická teorie tepla

• Authors: Martin Zach

Title variants

EN

Selective Realism and the Caloric Theory of Heat

• Languages of publication: CS

Abstracts

EN

The aim of the article is to bring a new angle to the debate about scientific realism in connection with the caloric theory of heat. Stathis Psillos examined the caloric theory in connection with scientific realism and the argument of pessimistic induction, and his approach was subsequently criticised by Hasok Chang. My aim is twofold. Firstly, to evaluate to what extent Chang’s critique is justified, and to highlight certain positive aspects of this critique. Secondly, I will attempt to show how on the basis of a study of the calorific theory of heat we might trace more general principles which, despite Chang’s critique of Psillos’ strategy, undermine the plausibility of the pessimistic induction.

Keywords

EN

scientific realism; the caloric theory of heat; pessimistic induction; the strategy of divide et impera

Discipline

• PHILOSOPHY: PHILOSOPHY

• Publisher: Institute of Philosophy, Czech Academy of Sciences
• Journal: Filosofický časopis (Philosophical Journal)
• Year: 2017
• Volume: 65
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 77-95
• Document type: ARTICLE

Contributors

author

Martin Zach

• Filosofický časopis, redakce, Filosofický ústav AV ČR, v.v.i., Jilská 1, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic