Rationality and Reality Conversations with Alan Musgrave [Paperback]

Alan Musgrave has consistently defended two positions that he regards as commonsensical: critical realism and critical rationalism. In this volume a group of internationally-renowned authors discuss themes that are relevant in one way or another to Musgraves work. Rather than a standard celebratory festschrift, this book offers a new examination of topics of current interest in philosophy. The contributory essays are followed by responses from Alan Musgrave himself.

Alan Musgrave has consistently defended two positions that he regards as commonsensical  critical realism and critical rationalism. In defence of critcal realism he argues for the objective existence of the external world as opposed to idealism, as well as arguing for scientific realism against all anti-realist accounts of science. His critical rationalism is drawn from the work of Karl Popper and stands opposed to inductivist and irrationalist methodologies. In defence of these positions, Musgraves writings have covered a wide range of topics in epistemology, metaphysics, philosophy of science, philosophy of mathematics, history of science, theories of truth, and economic theory. In this volume a group of internationally-renowned authors discuss themes that are relevant in one way or another to Musgraves work. This is not intended as a standard celebratory festschrift but rather as a new examination of topics of current interest in philosophy. The contributory essays are followed by responses from Alan Musgrave himself.

Editors Introduction 1. Methodological Rules, Rationality, and Truth :Volker Gadenne 2. Where Does the Burden of Theory Lie?: Gregory Currie 3. Testimony, Induction and Reasonable Belief: Colin Cheyne 4. Critical Rationalism and its Failure to Withstand Critical Scrutiny: Deborah Mayo 5. Theory-Confirmation and History: John Worrall 6. Why is it Rational to Believe Scientific Theories are True?: Howard Sankey 7. Thinking about the Ultimate ArgumenlS.