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Is there a place for epistemic virtues in theory choice?

Milena Ivanova

pp. 207-226

Abstract

This paper challenges the appeal to theory virtues in theory choice as well as the appeal to the intellectual and moral virtues of an agent as determining unique choices between empirically equivalent theories. After arguing that theoretical virtues do not determine the choice of one theory at the expense of another theory, I argue that nor does the appeal to intellectual and moral virtues single out one agent, who defends a particular theory, and exclude another agent defending an alternative theory. I analyse Duhem's concept of good sense and its recent interpretation in terms of virtue epistemology. I argue that the virtue epistemological interpretation does not show how good sense leads to conclusive choices and scientific progress.

Publication details

Published in:

Fairweather Abrol (2014) Virtue epistemology naturalized: bridges between virtue epistemology and philosophy of science. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 207-226

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-04672-3_13

Full citation:

Ivanova Milena (2014) „Is there a place for epistemic virtues in theory choice?“, In: A. Fairweather (ed.), Virtue epistemology naturalized, Dordrecht, Springer, 207–226.