Scientific realism
Scientific realism is the view that the theories and entities of science (like electrons or gravity) really exist and describe the true nature of the world, even if we can’t see them directly.
Instrumentalism
Instrumentalism, on the other hand, holds that scientific theories are just useful tools for predicting and organizing observations, not necessarily true descriptions of reality.
epistemic superior
An epistemic superior knows more or reasons better than you.
epistemic inferior
An epistemic inferior knows less or reasons worse than you.
epistemic peer
An epistemic peer is roughly equal to you in knowledge and reasoning ability.