Basic Contents and Contributions of Hacking’s Experimental Realism

Abstract

Based on the debate between scientific realism and anti-scientific realism and philosophy of science is too theoretical, Hacking put forward experimental realism. Experimental realism illustrates the importance of experiments in science, and put forward its four basic propositions: (a) Experiment is the basis of science. (b) The experiment entity operable. (c) The content of experiment is operating experimental entity. (d) Experiment entity causal attributes the fundamental basis of experimental research. “The experiment has its own life” is a special proposition and its connotation is: (a) Experimental entity is independent of the specific theoretical certainty and stability. (b) The experiment system has its own independent status and structure. (c) Laboratory activity and result are decided by its own true nature. Experimental realism resolved the conflict between scientific realism and anti-scientific realism, broke the theorical tradition, understood the relation between the experiment and theory, and promoted the development of scientific practice philosophy.