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Work #851 · Mid

A Realist Theory of Science

Roy Bhaskar
1975 (1st ed.); 1978 (2nd ed.); 2008 (3rd ed.) · English
Philosophical treatise · Late-twentieth-century British critical realism

Bhaskar's 1975 founding work of critical realism — transcendental realism in philosophy of science

Attribute Fingerprint

Rows where works disagree are highlighted in gold. The full ontology grid is shown.

Attribute A Realist Theory of Science (Mid)
Time · Extent Infinite
Time · Ontological Status Substantival
Time · Grain Continuous
Time · Freedom Non-Deterministic
Time · Traversability Linear
Time · Dimensionality One
Time · Direction Uni-directional
Space · Extent Infinite
Space · Ontological Status Substantival
Space · Curvature Flat
Space · Dimensionality Three
Space · Locality Local
Matter · Extent Infinite
Matter · Ontological Status Substantival
Matter · Conservation Conserved
Matter · Dimensionality Three
Matter · Locality Local
Observer · Time Instance Single
Observer · Space Instance Single
Observer · Knowledge Extent Partial
Observer · Knowledge Retainment Total
Observer · Physicality Embodied
Observer · Agency Both
Observer · Number Plural
Observer · Metaphysical Agency None
Observer · Moral Authority Reason
Observer · Theological Method
Energy · Extent Infinite
Energy · Ontological Status Substantival
Energy · Conservation Conserved
Energy · Dispersibility Irreversible
Information · Ontological Status Substantival
Information · Cosmic Conservation Conserved
Information · Personal Conservation Conserved
Information · Granularity Continuous

Dimension-by-Dimension Evidence

What each work's passages reveal about its stance on each of the six dimensions.

Time

A Realist Theory of Science

The temporal unfolding of generative mechanisms.

Space

A Realist Theory of Science

The stratified ontological space.

Matter

A Realist Theory of Science

Generative material mechanisms.

Observer

A Realist Theory of Science

The critical realist of scientific practice.

Energy

A Realist Theory of Science

Energies of generative mechanism.

Information

A Realist Theory of Science

The stratification empirical-actual-real.

Internal Tensions

Where each work's argument pulls against itself.

A Realist Theory of Science

Bhaskar's Realist Theory of Science: founding work of critical realism; foundational for late-twentieth-century philosophy of social science.