Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-10-28DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102076
Beñat Monfort-Urkizu
Meta-Empirical theory Assessment (MEA) argues that the way in which contemporary physical theories are evaluated has changed due to the progressive distancing of theory from observation. Richard Dawid proposed three methodological arguments as a means of capturing this “new” way of meta-empirically assessing theories of fundamental physics. Inflationary cosmology exemplifies a case where empirical evidence is scarce. In this field, Dawid claims that the synergy of his three arguments can justify relying on the limited empirical evidence to support the theory’s viability. Based on the debate that arose from different interpretations of the Planck2013 satellite results, in this paper I examine what the “cosmic controversy” shows about MEA and vice versa. My central thesis is that MEA plays a legitimate role in theory confirmation within the early universe scenario. However, I argue that the inflation debate arose from methodological preconceptions — framed as a tension between empiricism and likelihoodism — to which MEA is not immune.
元经验理论评估（Meta-Empirical theory Assessment， MEA）认为，由于理论与观测的逐渐距离，当代物理理论的评估方式已经发生了变化。理查德·大卫提出了三个方法论论点，作为捕捉这种“新”方法的一种方法，即元经验评估基础物理理论。暴胀宇宙学就是一个缺乏经验证据的例子。在这个领域，大卫声称他的三个论点的协同作用可以证明依靠有限的经验证据来支持理论的可行性。基于对普朗克2013卫星结果的不同解释所产生的争论，在本文中，我研究了关于MEA的“宇宙争议”，反之亦然。我的中心论点是，MEA在早期宇宙场景的理论确认中起着合理的作用。然而，我认为，通货膨胀辩论源于方法论上的先入为主的观念——被框定为经验主义和可能性主义之间的紧张关系——而多边环境评估也不能幸免。
{"title":"Meta-Empirical Theory Assessment in the cosmic controversy","authors":"Beñat Monfort-Urkizu","doi":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102076","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102076","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Meta-Empirical theory Assessment (MEA) argues that the way in which contemporary physical theories are evaluated has changed due to the progressive distancing of theory from observation. Richard Dawid proposed three methodological arguments as a means of capturing this “new” way of meta-empirically assessing theories of fundamental physics. Inflationary cosmology exemplifies a case where empirical evidence is scarce. In this field, Dawid claims that the synergy of his three arguments can justify relying on the limited empirical evidence to support the theory’s <em>viability</em>. Based on the debate that arose from different interpretations of the Planck2013 satellite results, in this paper I examine what the “cosmic controversy” shows about MEA and vice versa. My central thesis is that MEA plays a legitimate role in theory confirmation within the early universe scenario. However, I argue that the inflation debate arose from methodological preconceptions — framed as a tension between empiricism and likelihoodism — to which MEA is not immune.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49467,"journal":{"name":"Studies in History and Philosophy of Science","volume":"114 ","pages":"Article 102076"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145402475","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-10-18DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102080
Ilvie Prince
One of the main reasons for discontinuing hormonal contraceptives or switching to less effective methods is the experience of perceived side effects. Users are particularly bothered by symptoms that health professionals consider to be mild and generally tolerable. Although these symptoms are important to users, they are rarely mentioned in evidence-based guidelines; on the contrary, medical professionals often assume that there is no evidence of a link between minor adverse symptoms and hormonal contraceptives. I will argue that this position and the following communication towards is fundamentally grounded in flawed epistemic standards and unsuitable value influences that do not reflect all the epistemic interests relevant to clinical practice. These problematic value influences set a high, unproductive evidence standard.
{"title":"On “minor” adverse effects: some misconceptions affecting the handling of epistemic risks in medical research","authors":"Ilvie Prince","doi":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102080","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102080","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>One of the main reasons for discontinuing hormonal contraceptives or switching to less effective methods is the experience of perceived side effects. Users are particularly bothered by symptoms that health professionals consider to be mild and generally tolerable. Although these symptoms are important to users, they are rarely mentioned in evidence-based guidelines; on the contrary, medical professionals often assume that there is no evidence of a link between minor adverse symptoms and hormonal contraceptives. I will argue that this position and the following communication towards is fundamentally grounded in flawed epistemic standards and unsuitable value influences that do not reflect all the epistemic interests relevant to clinical practice. These problematic value influences set a high, unproductive evidence standard.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49467,"journal":{"name":"Studies in History and Philosophy of Science","volume":"114 ","pages":"Article 102080"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145326913","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102088
Mauricio Suárez
{"title":"","authors":"Mauricio Suárez","doi":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102088","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102088","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49467,"journal":{"name":"Studies in History and Philosophy of Science","volume":"114 ","pages":"Article 102088"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145466736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-30DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102085
Chiara Ambrosio
{"title":"","authors":"Chiara Ambrosio","doi":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102085","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102085","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49467,"journal":{"name":"Studies in History and Philosophy of Science","volume":"114 ","pages":"Article 102085"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145419311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-30DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102086
Alexander Bird
{"title":"","authors":"Alexander Bird","doi":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102086","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102086","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49467,"journal":{"name":"Studies in History and Philosophy of Science","volume":"114 ","pages":"Article 102086"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145419310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-22DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102070
Michiru Nagatsu
{"title":"","authors":"Michiru Nagatsu","doi":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102070","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.102070","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49467,"journal":{"name":"Studies in History and Philosophy of Science","volume":"114 ","pages":"Article 102070"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145365199","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-08-29DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.08.003
Katie H. Morrow , Marie I. Kaiser
We explore the causes and outcomes of scientific conceptual change using a case study of the development of the individualized niche concept. We outline a framework for characterizing conceptual change that distinguishes between epistemically adaptive and neutral processes and outcomes of conceptual change. We then apply this framework in tracing how the individualized niche concept arose historically out of population niche thinking and how it exhibits plurality within a contemporary biological research program. While the individualized niche concept was developed adaptively to suit new research goals and empirical findings, some of its pluralistic aspects in contemporary research may have arisen neutrally, that is, for non-epistemic reasons. We suggest reasons for thinking that this plurality is unproblematic and may become useful, for instance, when it allows for the concept to be applied across differing research contexts.
{"title":"The individualized niche: A case study in scientific conceptual change","authors":"Katie H. Morrow , Marie I. Kaiser","doi":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.08.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.08.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We explore the causes and outcomes of scientific conceptual change using a case study of the development of the individualized niche concept. We outline a framework for characterizing conceptual change that distinguishes between epistemically adaptive and neutral processes and outcomes of conceptual change. We then apply this framework in tracing how the individualized niche concept arose historically out of population niche thinking and how it exhibits plurality within a contemporary biological research program. While the individualized niche concept was developed adaptively to suit new research goals and empirical findings, some of its pluralistic aspects in contemporary research may have arisen neutrally, that is, for non-epistemic reasons. We suggest reasons for thinking that this plurality is unproblematic and may become useful, for instance, when it allows for the concept to be applied across differing research contexts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49467,"journal":{"name":"Studies in History and Philosophy of Science","volume":"113 ","pages":"Pages 54-63"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144911771","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-08-23DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.08.009
Ryan E. McCoy
This paper provides a methodological argument for local knowledge inclusion within climate research, as well as highlights the unique ethical and epistemic challenges in doing so. I first discuss the limitations of “top-down” modeling methods for garnering certain kinds of local climate information, as well as the need to understand local factors that mediate climate impacts. This in turn motivates the use of “bottom-up” approaches that incorporate local knowledge and engage directly within community members. I then clarify what local knowledge is and argue that it constitutes a form of experience-based expertise that can in certain contexts become contributory expertise. In discussing what it means for local knowledge to be contributory, I show how local knowledge meets criteria for useable climate information, as well as why we should assess usefulness internal to local knowledge frameworks. I then highlight specific areas where local knowledge can play this contributory role within climate research, as well as further challenges for local knowledge inclusion.
{"title":"The contributory role of local knowledge in climate research","authors":"Ryan E. McCoy","doi":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.08.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.08.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper provides a methodological argument for local knowledge inclusion within climate research, as well as highlights the unique ethical and epistemic challenges in doing so. I first discuss the limitations of “top-down” modeling methods for garnering certain kinds of local climate information, as well as the need to understand local factors that mediate climate impacts. This in turn motivates the use of “bottom-up” approaches that incorporate local knowledge and engage directly within community members. I then clarify what local knowledge is and argue that it constitutes a form of experience-based expertise that can in certain contexts become contributory expertise. In discussing what it means for local knowledge to be contributory, I show how local knowledge meets criteria for useable climate information, as well as why we should assess usefulness internal to local knowledge frameworks. I then highlight specific areas where local knowledge can play this contributory role within climate research, as well as further challenges for local knowledge inclusion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49467,"journal":{"name":"Studies in History and Philosophy of Science","volume":"113 ","pages":"Pages 24-33"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144890045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-09-08DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.08.002
Giora Hon
{"title":"Is interdisciplinarity a synonym for the search for alternative views of nature?","authors":"Giora Hon","doi":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.08.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.08.002","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49467,"journal":{"name":"Studies in History and Philosophy of Science","volume":"113 ","pages":"Pages 85-87"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145018906","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-08-18DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.08.004
Frank Cabrera
Although William Herschel (1738–1822) is most well-known as an astronomer and instrument-maker, he also had interests in speculative philosophy (e.g., metaphysics), as several papers he read at the Bath Philosophical Society reveal. These papers, arguably, are the context in which Herschel engaged most directly in philosophical argumentation and are thus worthy of greater scholarly attention. In this article, I focus on Herschel's paper entitled “On the Utility of Speculative Inquiries,” in which he debates the legitimacy of speculation with an unnamed interlocutor, referred to as the “Gentleman.” In section 1, I briefly discuss Herschel's intellectual background. In section 2, I review some of the main points of contention between Herschel and the Gentleman. In section 3, I situate their dispute within a broader intellectual context by reference to the distinction between “experimental philosophy” and “speculative philosophy” (ESD). In section 4, I discuss the possible identity of the Gentleman, favoring the itinerant teacher of experimental philosophy John Arden over the more well-known Joseph Priestley. In section 5, I argue for the historical significance of this exchange, specifically that Herschel's debate provides support for the superiority of the ESD as a historiographical framework over the more familiar rationalism vs. empiricism distinction (RED). In section 6, I examine three further arguments Herschel provides to defend speculative inquiry. I conclude in section 7 by connecting Herschel's arguments to contemporary debates in general philosophy of science on the role that speculation plays in advancing scientific progress.
{"title":"William Herschel's defense of speculative inquiry","authors":"Frank Cabrera","doi":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.08.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.shpsa.2025.08.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Although William Herschel (1738–1822) is most well-known as an astronomer and instrument-maker, he also had interests in speculative philosophy (e.g., metaphysics), as several papers he read at the Bath Philosophical Society reveal. These papers, arguably, are the context in which Herschel engaged most directly in philosophical argumentation and are thus worthy of greater scholarly attention. In this article, I focus on Herschel's paper entitled “On the Utility of Speculative Inquiries,” in which he debates the legitimacy of speculation with an unnamed interlocutor, referred to as the “Gentleman.” In section 1, I briefly discuss Herschel's intellectual background. In section 2, I review some of the main points of contention between Herschel and the Gentleman. In section 3, I situate their dispute within a broader intellectual context by reference to the distinction between “experimental philosophy” and “speculative philosophy” (ESD). In section 4, I discuss the possible identity of the Gentleman, favoring the itinerant teacher of experimental philosophy John Arden over the more well-known Joseph Priestley. In section 5, I argue for the historical significance of this exchange, specifically that Herschel's debate provides support for the superiority of the ESD as a historiographical framework over the more familiar rationalism vs. empiricism distinction (RED). In section 6, I examine three further arguments Herschel provides to defend speculative inquiry. I conclude in section 7 by connecting Herschel's arguments to contemporary debates in general philosophy of science on the role that speculation plays in advancing scientific progress.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49467,"journal":{"name":"Studies in History and Philosophy of Science","volume":"113 ","pages":"Pages 13-23"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144861102","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
京公网安备 11010802042870号