Do Theoretical Entities Really Exist

Are theoretical entities such as atoms and ions purely theoretical postulations to explain scientific phenomena,or do they share the same ontological status as other macro entities?Do perceptions through scientific instruments have the same epistemological value as perceiving with naked eyes? Debates have never stopped since the emergence of the philosophy of science.In the late 20 th century,many English-speaking philosophers used Husserlian phenomenology to analyze scientific realism problems,arguing that Husserl was an instrumentalist.But they overemphasized the relationship between the life-world and science,ignoring Husserl’s other analysis.While some contemporary phenomenologists insist that scientific instruments could enhance human perception,and theoretical entities perceived through scientific instruments are objective existence,rather than theoretical constructions.This thesis attempts to use the resources of Husserlian phenomenology,beginning by responding to and criticizing previous interpretations of Husserlian philosophy of science and elucidating Husserl’s point of view concerning scientific realism.I am going to argue that: Firstly,endless hypothesis and mathematization of nature lies in the very essence of science,postulating unperceivable theoretical entities is also intrinsical in natural science which belittles sense perception and uses mathematical construction as the fundamental way of thinking.Secondly,sense perception is directly linked with the function of living body,involvement of the “normal organism” of intersubjectivity under “normal perceptual condition”.Thirdly,discovery and verification of science are linked with experiments,through analysis of different kinds of scientific instruments that claim to see atoms and ions,I argue that not all scientific instruments can be understood as enhancements of human perception or extensions of human body,humans don’t simply “see through” those instruments.