Well-Ordered Science: Evidence for Use

Cartwright, N.

Abstract

This article agrees with Philip Kitcher that we should aim for a well‐ordered science, one that answers the right questions in the right ways. Crucial to this is to address questions of use: Which scientific account is right for which system in which circumstances? This is a difficult question: evidence that may support a scientific claim in one context may not support it in another. Drawing on examples in physics and other sciences, this article argues that work on the warrant of theories in philosophy of science needs to change. Emphasis should move from the warrant of theories in the abstract to questions of evidence for use.

Citation

Cartwright, N. (2006). Well-Ordered Science: Evidence for Use. Philosophy of Science, 73(5), 981-990. https://doi.org/10.1086/518803

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2006
• Deposit Date: Sep 22, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 12, 2016
• Journal: Philosophy of Science
• Print ISSN: 0031-8248
• Electronic ISSN: 1539-767X
• Publisher: Philosophy of Science Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 73
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 981-990
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/518803
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1431305