This book explores the debate on truthlikeness, initiated in 1960 by W. V. O. Quine and Karl Popper. Quine criticized Peirce's definition of truth, while Popper introduced the concept of verisimilitude. The work examines the confusion surrounding truth concepts and defends the meaning of 'closeness to truth' against prevalent skepticism.
The book explores the intricate relationship between conceptual change and the evolution of scientific theories, focusing on inductive change through conceptual enrichment. It extends Hintikka's inductive logic to incorporate new theoretical concepts, addressing philosophical and methodological issues that have lacked systematic analysis. The discussion includes the implications of scientific theories for inductive inference from a realist perspective, aiming to outline a hypothetico-inductive inference theory. Technical sections require only a basic understanding of logic and probability theory.
Focusing on the philosophical exploration of truthlikeness and scientific progress, this collection of essays examines the relationship between scientific advancement and the increasing verisimilitude of its findings. Written between 1975 and 1983, the essays offer less formal insights compared to more technical works, contributing to the defense of critical scientific realism. The first chapter serves as an introductory piece on the nature of science, while the second is a revised translation of an inaugural lecture, providing foundational context for the discussions that follow.
The book compiles 24 papers presented at the Fourth Scandinavian Logic Symposium and the First Soviet-Finnish Logic Conference held in Jyvaskyla, Finland, in 1976. Organized by editors and supported by various educational and philosophical institutions, it covers topics in proof theory and infinitary languages from authors across 10 countries.