ABSTRACT
In this chapter my aim is to complete the preliminary philosophical scaffolding of the work of offering a further clarification of some important points regarding the nature of scientific theory and tests thereof. Specifically, I wish first to introduce the so-called ‘realist’ conception of scientific theory as an alternative to the instrumentalist conception and, secondly, to examine the vexed question of what exactly can be established by empirical testing of general theories. The chapter will close with a summary of the position reached so far in the work.
