Mainly now the theory that scientific laws and theories are not to be interpreted as stating truths, or as claiming objective correctness, but as instruments for the prediction of statements which can be tested by observation. It is in terms of usefulness rather than correctness that the laws are judged.
Instrumentalism has its greatest plausibility with theories about unobservable theoretical entities like quarks, and is contrasted with (one form of) realism.
‘Instrumentalism’ is also used for a development of pragmatism by John Dewey (1859-1952), and for a view that values (either in general or in some sphere, like aesthetics) should be regarded as instrumental (for example, in promoting satisfaction).
Also see: conventionalism
Source:
S E Toulmin, The Philosophy of Science (1953); develops an instrumentalist view
Table of Contents
- 1 Videos
- 2 Related Products
- 2.1 Contra Instrumentalism: A Translation Polemic (Provocations)
- 2.2 Instrumentalism
- 2.3 Instrumentalism
- 2.4 Early Debates on Instrumentalism 1903-1911 (Thoemmes Library of American Thought)
- 2.5 InstrumentalIsm
- 2.6 Worldviews: An Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science
- 2.7 Instrumentalism
- 2.8 Transforming Experience: John Dewey's Cultural Instrumentalism (The Vanderbilt Library of American Philosophy)
- 2.9 Instrumentalism
- 2.10 Instrumentalism
Videos
Contra Instrumentalism: A Translation Polemic (Provocations)
- Venuti, Lawrence (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 216 Pages - 07/01/2019 (Publication Date) - University of Nebraska Press (Publisher)
Instrumentalism
- Audio CD – Audiobook
- Desert Island Records (Publisher)
Early Debates on Instrumentalism 1903-1911 (Thoemmes Library of American Thought)
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Sweet, William (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 360 Pages - 06/15/2003 (Publication Date) - Thoemmes Continuum (Publisher)
InstrumentalIsm
- Audio CD – Audiobook
- ISM Beats/FF Music Group (Publisher)
Worldviews: An Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- DeWitt, Richard (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 372 Pages - 04/16/2018 (Publication Date) - Wiley-Blackwell (Publisher)
Transforming Experience: John Dewey's Cultural Instrumentalism (The Vanderbilt Library of American Philosophy)
- Used Book in Good Condition
- Eldridge, Michael (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 236 Pages - 06/01/1998 (Publication Date) - Vanderbilt Univ Pr (Publisher)
Last update 2020-04-05. Price and product availability may change.