van Fraassen, Bas

"Probability theory reveals patterns in what we can observe and measure."

"The burden of proof lies with those who claim knowledge of the unobservable."

"Naturalness and elegance are guides, but not guarantees of truth."

"Science progresses through refinement of models that capture observable regularities."

"The verificationist tradition correctly emphasized the importance of empirical evidence."

"We can trust what science tells us about the observable world with reasonable confidence."

"Constructive empiricism avoids both dogmatism and radical doubt."

"The relationship between language and reality remains one of philosophy's deepest questions."

"Theoretical entities may be useful fictions rather than inhabitants of objective reality."

"Empiricism teaches humility about our claims to knowledge of the fundamental."

"Science is a human enterprise, shaped by our perspectives and limitations."

"The aim of rational science is to maximize explanatory power while minimizing ontological commitment."

"Observable phenomena provide the bedrock upon which all empirical knowledge rests."

"Skepticism about unobservables need not lead to skepticism about observable science."

"Truth may exceed what science can establish, and that is philosophically important."

"The structure of a theory matters more than its metaphysical interpretation."

"Rational belief must be proportionate to the available evidence."

"Philosophy continues the ancient human quest to understand our place in nature."

"Evidence constrains theory, but does not uniquely determine it."

"Empirical adequacy provides a stable foundation for scientific practice and progress."

"We should be suspicious of metaphysical claims that outrun empirical verification."

"The scientific worldview is powerful, but it does not exhaust all meaningful questions."

"Observation shapes science, but does not exist independently of theoretical frameworks."

"Humility and honesty require acknowledging the limits of what we can know."

"Philosophical naturalism respects science while remaining open to philosophical insight."

"The map of knowledge is vast, but its territory remains partially unmapped."

"Constructive empiricism shows respect for both empirical rigor and human understanding."

"The pursuit of truth requires both rigorous method and intellectual humility."

"Science's reliability derives from its accountability to observable nature."

"Modal reasoning helps us think clearly about necessity and possibility."