Scientists often use aesthetic values in the evaluation and choice of theories. Aesthetic values are not only regarded as leading to practically more useful theories but are often taken to stand in a special epistemic relation to the truth of a theory such that the aesthetic merit of a theory is evidence of its truth. This paper explores what aesthetic considerations influence scientists' reasoning, how such aesthetic values relate to the utility of a scientific theory, and how one can justify the epistemic role for such values. The paper examines ways in which the link between beauty and truth can be defended, the challenges facing such accounts, and explores alternative epistemic roles for aesthetic values in scientific practice.

中文翻译：

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科学的审美价值

科学家经常在理论评估和选择中使用美学价值。审美价值不仅被认为导致了实际上更有用的理论，而且常常被认为与理论的真相具有特殊的认识论联系，以致于理论的美学价值是其真实性的证据。本文探讨了哪些美学考虑因素会影响科学家的推理，这些美学价值如何与科学理论的效用相关联，以及如何证明这种价值的认知作用是合理的。本文探讨了捍卫美丽与真相之间联系的方式，这种说法面临的挑战，并探讨了科学实践中美学价值的替代认识论角色。