The philosophical questions raised by the history and practice of science are among the most complex and stimulating. The philosophy of science inquires into such matters as scientific reasoning, scientific explanation, the nature and value of scientific knowledge, progress in science, and the debate between realist and anti-realist views of science.
Science: Key Concepts in Philosophyis the ideal first stop for the student wishing to get to grips with this challenging subject. Written with the specific needs of students new to the discipline in mind, it covers the work of key thinkers and outlines clearly the central questions, problems and arguments encountered in studying the philosophy of science. The book considers such fundamentals as discovery, evidence, verification and falsification, realism and objectivity. It also draws on specific examples from the history of science to further illuminate the philosophical questions addressed. This is a practical and informative introduction to a major component of the undergraduate philosophy curriculum, as well as being a support to ongoing study.
Chapter 1: IntroductionChapter 2: Discovery - Flash of Genius or Careful Observation Chapter 3: Discovery - Heuristic Moves Chapter 4: Evidence - Verification and Falsification Chapter 5: Evidence - There's More to Seeing Than Meets the Eye Chapter 6: Evidence - The Secret Life of the Experiment Chapter 7: Realism - The Ultimate Argument Chapter 8: Realism - The Role and Function of Theories Chapter 9: Independence - Science as Social Activity Chapter 10: Independence - 'Facts' and 'Truth' Chapter 11: Where Does the Philosophy of Science Go From Here?
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