Is it inconsistent to hold a realism which maintains that the objects we interact with on a daily basis—tables, chairs, rocks, trees—are real objects existing out there in the world alongside a scientific realism which maintains that such objects are really collections of particles? Is there a tension between scientific realism and everyday realism? Do we have a reason to favour one over the other? Or must we say that the sort of real objects invoked on either conception only make sense relative to some pre-existing ontological framework? Would this conclusion imply that epistemology is necessarily prior to ontology?
Full Version: Realism
QUOTE(Culture @ Dec 08, 2006, 08:26 AM) 
Is it inconsistent to hold a realism which maintains that the objects we interact with on a daily basis—tables, chairs, rocks, trees—are real objects existing out there in the world alongside a scientific realism which maintains that such objects are really collections of particles? Is there a tension between scientific realism and everyday realism? Do we have a reason to favour one over the other? Or must we say that the sort of real objects invoked on either conception only make sense relative to some pre-existing ontological framework? Would this conclusion imply that epistemology is necessarily prior to ontology?
Off topic (sorry): Nice new avatar. It seems to be a nature wonder. I see the flower in the middle but I'm puzzled about the yellow objects. Are they nesting birds?
QUOTE(code buttons @ Dec 08, 2006, 08:41 AM)
QUOTE(Culture @ Dec 08, 2006, 08:26 AM)
Is it inconsistent to hold a realism which maintains that the objects we interact with on a daily basis—tables, chairs, rocks, trees—are real objects existing out there in the world alongside a scientific realism which maintains that such objects are really collections of particles? Is there a tension between scientific realism and everyday realism? Do we have a reason to favour one over the other? Or must we say that the sort of real objects invoked on either conception only make sense relative to some pre-existing ontological framework? Would this conclusion imply that epistemology is necessarily prior to ontology?
Off topic (sorry): Nice new avatar. It seems to be a nature wonder. I see the flower in the middle but I'm puzzled about the yellow objects. Are they nesting birds?
Its a photo of one of the plants I have been nurturing for the past 5 years.
Lophoro Williamsii :-)
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