Anti-realism
Anti-realism is a philosophical stance suggesting that the objective existence of things is dependent on our perceptions or theories, rather than existing independently. In the context of instrumentalism, it argues that scientific theories should be seen as tools for predicting experiences rather than as true descriptions of reality. For anti-realists, the focus is on the utility of ideas and models rather than their correspondence to an objective reality. This means that while theories can be useful and successful in practice, they may not accurately reflect what actually exists outside of our observations.
Additional Insights
-
Anti-realism is a philosophical view that questions the existence of an objective reality independent of our perceptions and beliefs. It suggests that our understanding of the world is shaped by our experiences, culture, and language, rather than reflecting a world that exists unchanged outside of us. In essence, anti-realists argue that knowledge and truth are not absolute but are influenced by human perspectives. This contrasts with realism, which holds that there is a reality that exists regardless of our thoughts or perceptions about it.