Constructive Empiricism

Constructive Empiricism is a philosophical viewpoint regarding science that asserts we should focus on the empirical adequacy of scientific theories—how well they can predict and explain observable phenomena—rather than claiming that the unobservable entities they propose (like atoms or forces) are real. Unlike Scientific Realism, which believes that these entities exist, Constructive Empiricism is more cautious, suggesting that theories are useful tools for understanding the world rather than literal truths. This approach accommodates scientific change and progress by allowing theories to be replaced while still maintaining their utility in explaining observable reality.