Structural realism is a philosophical concept that offers a moderate approach between the extremes of scientific realism and anti-realism. According to structural realism, although we cannot fully know the essence of reality, we can understand the structures that govern it.
An example of this is the periodic table of elements, which reveals the structure of atoms even before the discovery of deeper details about their composition. Another example is the theory of relativity, which reveals the structure of space and time without fully explaining what they are.
Structural realism is important because it helps us understand how science progresses. It explains why some theories, like Newton’s, have been replaced by more modern theories, yet their fundamental structures remain valid.
Next time you hear about a new scientific discovery, ask yourself: what structure of reality does it reveal? And how is this structure connected to older scientific knowledge?
