Wenceslao J. Gonzalez (ed.): Bas van Fraassen's Approach to Representation and Models in Science

摘要

The impact and relevance of the philosophy of science developed by Bas van Fraassen are today undeniable. Since his book The Scientific Image (1980) through The Empirical Stance (2002) to Scientific Representation (2008) and recent papers, he has been particularly influential. He proposed an epistemological position that began as a new sort of empiricism. First he qualified it as "constructive," but later he presented it as "structuralist." Both versions of empiricism were conceived to challenge realist positions on science. His epistemological claims are strong and solid, which makes them deserve attention and analysis; you either agree or disagree with the author.