Richard Boyd
The success of our theories is best explained if they are approximately true: scientific realism is the best explanation.
Life
American philosopher of science (1942-2021), long a professor at Cornell University. He defends scientific realism: the predictive success of our best theories is best explained if they describe the world roughly as it is. He also defended moral realism, treating good and bad as facts that can be known.
Main works
Assesses the arguments for and against scientific realism, including the "no miracles" argument.
Argues that morality can be treated as real properties, in the way the natural sciences treat theirs.
In his own words
« In such cases it seems that miracles are the only alternative to a realist explanation of the success of scientific practice. »
Positions
click a row to see the evidenceMature science is approximately true, so substantial knowledge of the world is attainable.
Boyd, "On the Current Status of the Issue of Scientific Realism" (1983)
Defends a materialism without reductionism: mental states are physical, yet they are not reducible to simple physical terms.
Boyd, Materialism without Reductionism: What Physicalism Does Not Entail (1980)
Defends a naturalist moral realism: moral terms refer to real natural properties.
Boyd, "How to Be a Moral Realist" (1988)