The Many Faces Of Science: Scientists, Values, And Society - Softcover

Stevenson, Leslie; Byerly, Henry

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0813320178 ISBN 13: 9780813320175

Publisher: Westview Press, 1995

Synopsis

The development of modern science and its increasing impact on our life and culture is one of the great stories of our time. Coming to understand that story and coming to terms with the institution of modern science should be an important part of the education of every student.In The Many Faces of Science, Leslie Stevenson and Henry Byerly masterfully and painlessly provide the basic information and the philosophical reflection students need to gain such understanding. Making good use of case study methods, the authors introduce us to dozens of figures from the history of science, highlighting both heroes and villains. Providing an elementary sketch of the development of science through the lives of its practitioners, Stevenson and Byerly bring the story alive through the examination of the often mixed motives of scientists, as well as the conflicting values people bring to science and to their perceptions of its impact on society. They also explore the relationship between scientific practice and political and economic power.Brief, accessible, and rich in anecdotes, personal asides, and keen insight, The Many Faces of Science is the ideal interdisciplinary introduction for nonscientists in courses on science studies, science and society, and science and human values. It will also prove useful as supplementary reading in courses on science in philosophy, sociology, and political science.

About this title

About the Author

Leslie Stevenson is reader in logic and metaphysics at the University of St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland. He is the author of Seven Theories of Human Nature, The Metaphysics of Experience, and many articles on language, mind, and science. Henry Byerly is professor of philosophy at the University of Arizona. He is the author of A Primer of Logic and has published many articles on biology as well as on the philosophy of science.

Edition details

• Publisher: Westview Press
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0813320178
• ISBN 13: 9780813320175
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 257