This paper summarizes Rand’s theory of concepts as presented in the first five chapters of Introduction to Objectivist Epistemology. Rand’s approach to universals, essentials, and definitions is discussed, and key Randian usages such as “unit,” “measurement,” “distinguishing characteristic” and “Conceptual Common Denominator” are explained. An appendix summarizes Rand’s treatment of several con...

Abstract According to selective, retentive, scientific realism, past empirical success may be explained only by the parts of theories that are responsible their successful predictions being approximately true, and thus theoretically retained, or approximated, posterior same predictions. In this article, we present as case study transit from Ptolemy’s Kepler’s astronomy, for Mars’ orbit. We an a...

Abstract A prevailing understanding of realism, chiefly among its critics, casts realists as those who seek a ‘distinctively political normativity’, where this is interpreted meaning nonmoral in kind. Moralists, on account, are reject and believe that normativity remains moral. Critics have then focused much their attention demonstrating the search for doomed to fail which, if right, would seem...

This article explores a key difference that Elder-Vass has identified between critical realism and pragmatism: their divergent views on the viability of concept social structure. Noting this is also point dispute realists Actor-Network Theorists, I try to contribute debate about structure by focusing question whether organizations are structures, drawing pragmatist-leaning ANT - Bruno Latour ev...

BACKGROUND Some realists have criticised randomised controlled trials for their inability to explain the causal relations that they identify; to take into account the influence of the social context of the interventions they evaluate; and to account for individual difference. However, among realists, there is controversy over whether it is possible to improve trials by making them realist, or w...