An Historical Introduction to the Philosophy of Science

Losee, John

ISBN 10: 019289143X / ISBN 13: 9780192891433

Published by Oxford University Press, 1980

About this Item

Chapter 9 contains annotations, remainder of book is unmarked. Pages have aged noticeably over time, with foxing along page edges. Substantial exterior wear, including scuffing, bend marks in corners, and sizeable chip missing from bottom left corner of back cover. Book remains otherwise intact, and fully legible. Paperback. LW.

Seller Inventory # D27038

Bibliographic Details

• Title: An Historical Introduction to the Philosophy of Science
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication Date: 1980
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 019289143X
• ISBN 13: 9780192891433
• Binding: paperback
• Edition: 2nd Edition
• Condition: Fair
• Weight: 7 ounces
• Seller catalogs:
  • Science

About this title

Synopsis

This new edition brings up to date this accessible study of the philosophy of science. Since the time of Plato and Aristotle, scientists and philosophers have raised questions about the proper evaluation of scientific interpretations. A Historical Introduction to the Philosophy of Science is an exposition of differing viewpoints on issues such as the distinction between scientific inquiry and other types of interpretation, the relationship between theories and observation reports; the evaluation of competing theories; and the nature of progress in science. The author makes accessible the philosophy of science to readers who may not have extensive knowledge of formal logic or the history of the several sciences. The third edition incorporates an extended discussion of recent developments. Historicist critics of Logical Empiricism have established that evaluative standards and cognitive aims have changed within the history of science. This edition examines these changes, the recent controversies over scientific realism, casual theories of explanation, Bayesian theories of confirmation, and the search for a non-prescriptive philosophy of science. philosophers have raised questions about the proper evaluation of scientific interpretations. This is a lucid and accessible introduction to the philosophy of science, ideal for readers who may not have the extensive knowledge of formal logic or the history of the several sciences. This new edition includes an extended discussion of such recent developments and controversies as new approaches to evaluative standards and cognitive aims, scientific realism, causal theories of explanation, Bayesian theories of confirmation, and the search for a non-prescriptive philosophy of science.

About the Author

John Losee is Professor of Philosophy at Lafayette College, USA.