Introduction to Scientific Realism

Science is widely believed to represent well the world, whether we speak of quarks, molecules, or
viruses. But how well-founded is this belief? This seminar aims to examine both the history and
the main challenges raised against scientific realism from the 19th c. up to the present time and
engage with some of the most popular responses. We will first familiarize ourselves with the core
ideas associated with scientific realism today and briefly explore how these ideas have evolved
since the Scientific Revolution. We will then examine and discuss some questions that have been
at the center stage of debates in the 20th c.: (i) Do we have enough evidence to believe in the
existence of unobservable entities? (ii) Does anything survive scientific revolutions? (iii) Is the
scientific image of the world largely influenced by the particular perspectives, values, and interests
of scientific communities?
For each lesson, you will have to read an article (around 10 pages) that we will discuss together in
class. The last two lessons of the course will be open to deepen specific aspects of the course and
to discuss your questions and doubts.