What is scientific realism? Explain why someone might find scientific realism attractive. The Pessimistic Induction is an argument that draws on examples from the history of science to argue that scientific realism is unmotivated. Carefully reconstruct the Pessimistic Induction and explain the challenge it presents to scientific realism. Do you think there is a form of scientific realism that is not undermined by the Pessimistic Induction? Justify your answer. Relevant reading: Staley, “Realism and Anti-Realism”; Psillos, “Resisting the Pessimistic Induction”; Laudan, “A Confutation of Convergent Realism”.
