(In)effective realism?

Eur J Philos Sci. 2022;12(2):30. doi: 10.1007/s13194-021-00441-x. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Abstract

Matthias Egg (2021) argues that scientific realism can be reconciled with quantum mechanics and its foundational underdetermination by focusing realist commitments on 'effective' ontology. I argue in general terms that Egg's effective realism is ontologically overly promiscuous. I illustrate the issue in relation to both Newtonian mechanics and quantum mechanics.

Keywords: Effective ontology; Matthias Egg; Quantum mechanics; Scientific realism.