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Truthlikeness without truth: A methodological approach

Abstract

In this paper, an attempt is made to solve various problems posed to current theories of verisimilitude: (1) the (Miller's) problem of linguistic variance; (2) the problem of which are the best scientific methods for getting the most verisimilar theories; and (3) the question of the ontological commitment in scientific theories. As a result of my solution ot these problems, and with the help of other considerations of epistemological character, I conclude that the notion of ‘Tarskian truth’ is dispensable in a rational (and ‘realist’) interpretation of the scientific enterprise. As a logical result, however, falsificationism will be vindicated.

... and in brief, a speaker must always aim at verisimilitude, and send the truth packing.

Plato,Phaedrus, 272 E

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I want to express my gratitude to Professors García-Bermejo, Niiniluoto, and Zofío for interesting comments and critiques of several of the ideas in this paper, and to Miss Karen Firnich for correcting my English. I am also thankful to an anonymous referee who indicated several ‘dark’ points on a previous version of my article.

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Bonilla, J.P.Z. Truthlikeness without truth: A methodological approach. Synthese 93, 343–372 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01089274

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01089274

Keywords

  • Methodological Approach
  • Scientific Method
  • Scientific Theory
  • Linguistic Variance
  • Current Theory