Stud. Hist. Phil. Sci. 35 (2004) 173–184 www.elsevier.com/locate/shpsa Essay review Stance relativism: empiricism versus metaphysics Anjan Chakravartty Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Technology, University of Toronto, 91 Charles Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1K7, Canada Abstract In The empirical stance, Bas van Fraassen argues for a reconceptualization of empiricism, and a rejection of its traditional rival, speculative metaphysics, as part of a larger and provoca- tive study in epistemology. Central to his account is the notion of voluntarism in epistemology, and a concomitant understanding of the nature of rationality. In this paper I give a critical assessment of these ideas, with the ultimate goal of clarifying the nature of debate between metaphysicians and empiricists, and more specifically, between scientific realists and empiricist antirealists. Despite van Fraassen’s assertion to the contrary, voluntarism leads to a form of epistemic relativism. Rather than stifling debate, however, this ‘stance’ relativism places pre- cise constraints on possibilities for constructive engagement between metaphysicians and empiricists, and thus distinguishes, in broad terms, paths along which this debate may usefully proceed from routes which offer no hope of progress.  2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Empiricism; Metaphysics; Scientific realism; Voluntarism; Rationality; Relativism The Empirical Stance Bas C. Van Fraassen; Yale University Press, London & New Haven, 2002, pp. xix+282, Price £22.50 hardback, ISBN 0300088744. The debates [between realists and antirealists] persist . . . because the most sophis- ticated positions on either side now incorporate self-justifying conceptions of the aim of philosophy and of the standards of adequacy appropriate for judging philosophical theories of science. (A. Wylie) E-mail address: anjan.chakravartty@utoronto.ca (A. Chakravartty). 0039-3681/$ - see front matter  2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.shpsa.2003.12.002