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MENTAL MODEL · M13008

Scientific Realism

Scientific Realism
TechnicalHigh supportScientific Methodology
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

The relationship between theoretical entities and objective reality

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Scientific realism is the philosophical view that the universe described by science (including both observable and unobservable aspects) exists independently of perception, and that verified scientific theories are at least approximately true descriptions of what is real. Scientific realists typical…

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It asserts that the theoretical entities posited by scientific theories (electrons, genes, force fields) are real, and that scientific progress is a gradual approximation to the objective world, not merely a convenient computational tool. It defends the commitment that theories are true.

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Source support: Explicit

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    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_realismZH · Explicit
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