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Foregrounding the Background

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2022

Helen Longino
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Abstract

Practice-centric and theory-centric approaches in philosophy of science are described and contrasted. The contrast is developed through an examination of their different treatments of the underdetermination problem. The practice-centric approach is illustrated by a summary of comparative research on approaches in the biology of behavior. The practice-centric approach is defended against charges that it encourages skepticism regarding the sciences.

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 83 , Issue 5 , December 2016 , pp. 647 - 661
Copyright
Copyright © The Philosophy of Science Association

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Footnotes

†

A heartfelt thank-you to Jessica Pfeifer for her energetic and effective activities as executive director of the PSA, to Chris Smeenk for organizing an excellent program, and to the members of the PSA Governing Board for their commitment to our profession and our organization. I am also grateful to the Brown Foundation for a residency at the Dora Maar House, during which I prepared a draft of this address.

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