Public Knowledge (An Essay Concerning the Social Dimension of Science)

Ziman, J. M.

ISBN 10: 0521095190 / ISBN 13: 9780521095198

Published by Cambridge University Press, 1974

About this Item

Seller Inventory # 102599

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Public Knowledge (An Essay Concerning the Social Dimension of Science)
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication Date: 1974
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521095190
• ISBN 13: 9780521095198
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Near Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket
• Seller catalogs:
  • Non-Fiction

About this title

Synopsis

In this 1974 book a practising scientist and gifted expositor sets forth an exciting point of view on the nature of science and how it works. Professor Ziman argues that the true goal of all scientific research is to contribute to the consensus of universally accepted knowledge. He explores the philosophical, psychological and sociological consequences of the principle, and explains how, in practice, the consensus is established and how the work of the individual scientist becomes a part of it. The intellectual form of scientific knowledge is determined by the need for the scientist to communicate his findings and to make them acceptable to others. Professor Ziman's essay, being written in plain English, and requiring only the slenderest knowledge of science, can (and should) be read by any educated person; as he says 'all genuine scientific procedures of thought and argument are essentially the same as those of everyday life'.

Book Description

Professor Ziman argues that the goal of all scientific research is to contribute to the consensus of universally accepted knowledge. He explores the philosophical, psychological and sociological consequences of the principle, and explains how the consensus is established and how the work of the individual scientist becomes part of it.