An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science (Cambridge Introductions to Philosophy) - Softcover

Staley, Kent W.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1009097962 ISBN 13: 9781009097963

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2025

Synopsis

This thoroughly updated second edition guides readers through the central concepts and debates in the philosophy of science. Using concrete examples from the history of science, Kent W. Staley addresses questions about what science is, why it is important, and the basis for trust in scientific results. The first part of the book introduces the central concepts of philosophy of science, with updated discussions of the problem of induction, underdetermination, rationality, scientific progress, and important movements such as falsificationism, logical empiricism, and postpositivism, together with a new chapter on social constructionism. The second part offers updated chapters on probability, scientific realism, explanation, and values in science, along with new discussions of the role of models in science, science in policy-making, and feminist philosophy of science. This broad yet detailed overview will give readers a strong grounding in philosophy of science whilst also providing opportunities for further exploration.

About this title

About the Author

Kent W. Staley is Professor of Philosophy at Saint Louis University. He is the author of 'The Evidence for the Top Quark: Objectivity and Bias in Collaborative Experimentation' (Cambridge, 2004).

Edition details

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1009097962
• ISBN 13: 9781009097963
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 414