Theoretical Virtues in Science

What are the features of a good scientific theory? Samuel Schindler's book revisits this classical question in the philosophy of science and develops new answers to it. Theoretical virtues matter not only for choosing theories 'to work with', but also for what we are justified in believing: only if the theories we possess are good ones (qua virtues) can we be confident that our theories' claims about nature are actually correct. Recent debates have focussed rather narrowly on a theory's capacity to predict new phenomena successfully, but Schindler argues that the justification for this focus is thin. He discusses several other theory properties such as testability, accuracy, and consistency, and highlights the importance of simplicity and coherence. Using detailed historical case studies and careful philosophical analysis, Schindler challenges the received view of theoretical virtues and advances arguments for the view that science uncovers reality through theory.

‘In this ambitious book Samuel Schindler mounts a sustained defence of scientific realism, challenging the most important antirealist arguments with a comprehensive and multi-layered appeal to theoretical virtues. His advocacy for the general truth-conduciveness of these virtues, rejecting the lure of predictivism, is both balanced and persuasive.'

Hasok Chang - University of Cambridge

‘Steeped in the history of science and bursting with examples, this book turns a spotlight on the ‘theoretical virtues' and their role in determining what the natural sciences reveal about our world. Fearlessly contesting received views of the import of novel predictions and the nature of ad hoc hypotheses, Schindler shows by example how general philosophy of science, and the history and philosophy of science, are indispensable to an understanding of scientific knowledge.'

Anjan Chakravartty - University of Notre Dame, Indiana