Abstract

In a recent paper, Ladyman (2011) has argued that the empirical stance, which has been championed by Van Fraassen (2002), and the materialist stance are compatible with each other –a thesis which is important for Ladyman since it paves the way for the project of developing a ‘radically naturalized metaphysics’ that he has defended along with Ross (2007). Though Ladyman puts forth a compelling case for the thesis that the two stances are compatible, I find his argument for the thesis to be problematic. In this paper, I argue, pace Ladyman, that the two stances cannot be reconciled since there is an inconsistency between the epistemic requirements needed to adopt both stances.