Does image‐based field work have more to gain from extending or from rejecting scientific realism? An essay in review

T social psychologist William James reputedly held that there were two different but equally valid ways to go about "doing" science. You could try to avoid error and then seek the truth, or you could first seek the truth and then try to avoid error. James' characterization of a century or so ago is a good reminder of two first principles: all science involves a search for relatively reliable ways of identifying, observing, examining and talking about things that at least appear to be objective, external realities; and all science also depends on the subjective experience and knowledge-constructing talents of individual researchers and scientific communities.