CF Dictionary · Critical Rationalism Terms
Instrumentalism (CR critique)
The view that scientific theories are just useful instruments, not attempts to describe reality. CR rejects this.
Instrumentalism is the view that scientific theories are merely useful instruments for prediction, not attempts to describe reality. CR rejects this in favour of a more realist view.
The instrumentalist position
- Theories predict observations.
- They don't say what's really happening.
- "Atoms" might be a useful fiction; we can't directly see them.
CR's critique
- Theories explain, not just predict. A theory that explains why is different from one that merely fits the data.
- Explanations are hard to vary. A good theory can't be tweaked to fit anything — its success is evidence of truth.
- Better explanations make new predictions. Real theories are creative; instruments are reactive.
The realist alternative
CR argues for scientific realism:
- Theories aim to describe reality.
- Some theories are approximately true.
- Progress = getting closer to truth.
CF's view
CF follows CR on realism:
- Truth exists. (truth)
- Some ideas are closer to truth than others. Not a degree, but a comparison.
- Explanation is what makes science real, not mere prediction.
Why it matters
- Encourages deep theories. Instrumentalism encourages shallow fitting.
- Supports criticism. Real theories can be wrong; instruments are just useful.
- Supports Paths Forward.
"Instrumentalism criticism" is one of CF's enumerated CR-specific concepts. — criticalfallibilism.com