Philosophy of Science

What is science? Is there a real difference between science and myth? Is science objective? Can science explain everything? This Very Short Introduction provides a concise overview of the main themes of contemporary philosophy of science. Beginning with a short history of science to set the scene, Samir Okasha goes on to investigate the nature of scientific reasoning, scientific explanation, revolutions in science, and theories such as realism and anti-realism. He also looks at philosophical issues in particular sciences, including the problem of classification in biology, and the nature of space and time in physics. The final chapter touches on the conflicts between science and religion, and explores whether science is ultimately a good thing.

Science is perhaps the sole distinctively western institution adopted by all cultures who have come in contact with it. And yet its scope, nature and methods have been contested throughout its history. Philosophy of Science identifies the profound philosophical problems that science raises through an examination of enduring questions about its nature, methods, and justification. Coming to grips with the nature of explanation, laws and causation, among others, turns out to be a matter of facing the same questions that Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Hume, Kant and their successors grappled with.

A survey of the philosophy of science from positivism to social constructivism, this book focuses on the ontological implications of science. An innovative feature is the author's use of immunology as a source of descriptive examples, thus providing lively illustrations from a life science with universal appeal and allowing continuity throughout this volume. The coverage of Quinean holism and supervenience clarify concepts which have been often misunderstood, while the discussion of the Kuhnian model of science rectifies the distortions it underwent due to misuse in the past. Feminist and nonfeminist concepts of science, as well as social constructivist models are thoroughly investigated by Klee. The text includes a glossary defining over eighty key terms.

Few can imagine a world without telephones or televisions; many depend on computers and the Internet as part of daily life. Without scientific theory, these developments would not have been possible.In this exceptionally clear and engaging introduction to philosophy of science, James Ladyman explores the philosophical questions that arise when we reflect on the nature of the scientific method and the knowledge it produces. He discusses whether fundamental philosophical questions about knowledge and reality might be answered by science, and considers in detail the debate between realists and antirealists about the extent of scientific knowledge. Along the way, central topics in philosophy of science, such as the demarcation of science from non-science, induction, confirmation and falsification, the relationship between theory and observation and relativism are all addressed. Important and complex current debates over underdetermination, inference to the best explaination and the implications of radical theory change are clarified and clearly explained for those new to the subject.

Philosophy of science and history of science are both interpretations of scientific practice, and the relationship between these two disciplines can take various forms: they may be mutually exclusive, interdependent, or related by inclusion. Much depends on whether philosophy of science is taken to be a prescriptive or a descriptive science. This book is concerned with the nature of the relationship between philosophy of science and history of science, and sheds new light on our understanding of those activities that comprise science.

This book looks at logic, mathematics and science in 20th century philosophy, covering such topics as logical positivism, the work of Wittgenstein, cybernetics, and the social sciences.

This book presents the current feminist critique of science & the philosophy of science in such a way that students of philosophy of science, philosophers, feminist theorists, & scientists will find the material accessible & intellectually rigorous. Contemporary feminist debate, as well as the debate brought on by the radical critics of science, assumes-incorrectly-that certain movements in philosophy of science & science-driven theory are understood in their dynamics as well as in their details. All too often, labels such as "Kuhnian" or "positivistic" are taken for granted, & much of the contemporary post-modern or post-structuralist feminist theory that sets out to criticize science does little to alleviate the reader's lack of knowledge with regard to such movements. Unlike other texts, Philosophies of Science: Feminist Theories provides a student-oriented framework so that, for example, positivism is given a thorough grounding before the feminist critique of such epistemological theory is given. Other movements discussed include the Kuhnian turn, sociology of science, & the radical critique of science. Feminist theory & critique are interwoven throughout, with one chapter devoted to feminist thought, which includes the work of such thinkers as Longino, Hararway, Hubbard, Nelson, Harding, & Keller. Contents: Introduction. A Historical Overview of Positivism. A Look at Positivism Continued. Kuhnian & Like Responses. Philosophy of Science & Sociology of Science. Feminist Philosophy of Science. Radical Critiques of Science. Naturalized Epistemology as the Basis for a New Philosophy of Scientific Confirmation. Conclusion.

In this work Henry Kyburg presents his views on a wide range of philosophical problems associated with the study and practice of science and mathematics. The main structure of the book consists of a presentation of Kyburg's notions of epistemic probability and its use in the scientific enterprise i.e., the effort to modify previously adopted beliefs in the light of experience. Intended for cognitive scientists and people in artificial intelligence as well as for technically oriented philosophers, the book also provides a general overview of the philosophy of science for the non-philosopher by one of the leading authorities in the field.