(P/B) UNDERSTANDING PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

Παρουσίαση

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 under-determination, inference to the best explanation and the implications of radical theory change are clarified and clearly explained for those new to the subject. (from the publisher)

Περιεχόμενα

Preface
Acknowledgements
INTRODUCTION
Philosophy of science as epistemology and metaphysics
PART I THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
1 INDUCTION AND INDUCTIVISM
1.1 The sceptic's challenge
1.2 The scientific revolution
1.3 The 'new tool' of induction
1.4 (Naive) inductivism
Further reading
2 THE PROBLEM OF INDUCTION AND OTHER PROBLEMS
WITH INDUCTIVISM
2.1 The problem of induction
2.2 Solutions and dissolutions of the problem of induction
2.3 Inductivism and the history of science
2.4 Theory and observation
2.5 Conclusions
Further reading
3 FALSIFICATIONISM
3.1 Popper and the critique of Marxism and psychoanalysis
3.2 Popper's solution to the problem of induction
3.3 The context of discovery and the context of justification
3.4 The Duhem problem
3.5 Problems with falsificationism
3.6 Conclusions
Further reading
4 REVOLUTIONS AND RATIONALITY
4.1 The received view of science
4.2 Kuhn's revolutionary history of science
4.3 Paradigms and normal science
4.4 The Copernican revolution
4.5 Theory and observation
4.6 Incommensurability
4.7 Relativism and the role of reason in science
Further reading
PART II REALISM AND ANTIREALISM ABOUT SCIENCE
5 SCIENTIFIC REALISM
5.1 Appearance and reality
5.2 The metaphysics of the external world
5.3 Semantics
5.4 Standard scientific realism
5.5 Antirealism
Further reading
6 UNDERDETERMINATION
6.1 Underdetermination
6.2 Constructive empiricism
Further reading
7 EXPLANATION AND INFERENCE
7.1 Explanation
7.2 Inference to the best explanation
7.3 Common sense, realism and constructive empiricism
Further reading
8 REALISM ABOUT WHAT?
8.1 Theory change
8.2 Multiple models
8.3 Idealisation
8.4 Structural realism
Further reading
Glossary
Bibliography
Index