Overview

Designed for those coming to the subject for the first time, this stimulating introduction offers a historical exposition of differing views on the philosophy of science. With concise profiles introducing the major philosophers whose contributions are discussed, Losee explores the long-argued questions raised by philosophers and scientists about the proper evaluation of science. This new edition incorporates contemporary developments in the discipline, including recent work on theory-appraisal, experimental practice, the debate over scientific realism, and the philosophy of biology. Taking a balanced and informative approach, with a focus on the historical development of the subject, John Losee presents a full and up to date account that is ideal for the introductory reader. NEW TO THIS EDITION: coverage of recent developments in Philosophy of Science, including philosophy of biology, normative naturalism, theory appraisal, experimental practice, theories of explanation, and scientific realism

Full Product Details

Author:   John Losee (Professor of Philosophy, Professor of Philosophy, Lafayette College)
Publisher:   Oxford University Press
Imprint:   Oxford University Press
Edition:   4th Revised edition
Dimensions:   Width: 15.50cm , Height: 1.90cm , Length: 23.50cm
Weight:   0.496kg
ISBN:  

9780198700555

ISBN 10:   0198700555
Pages:   328
Publication Date:   01 March 2001
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   To order  
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Table of Contents

Introduction 1: Aristotle's Philosophy of Science 2: The Pythagorean Orientation 3: The Ideal of Deductive Systemization 4: Atomism and the Concept of Underlying Mechanism 5: Affirmation and Development of Aristotle's Method in the Medieval Period 6: The Debate over Saving the Appearances 7: The Seventeenth-Century Attack on Aristotelian Philosophy 8: Newton's Axiomatic Method 9: Analysis of the Implications of the New Science for a Theory of Scientific Method 10: Inductivism v the Hypothetico-Deductive View of Science 11: Mathematical Positivism and Conventionlism 12: Logical Reconstructivist Philosophy of Science 13: Orthodoxy under Attack 14: Theories of Scientific Progress 15: Explanation, Causation, and Unification 16: Confirmation and Evidential Support 17: The Justification of Evaluative Standards 18: The Debate over Scientific Realism 19: Descriptive Philosophies of Science Bibliography Index

Reviews

well known and widely used textbook ... As in the earlier editions the same writing style and format for organizing the material are preserved. As a result the book rigidly stays at the level of presenting only carefully condensed factual presentations in serial order of the individual authors involved, and scrupulously avoids any critical evaluations or comparisons of the philosophies of science sketched out for the reader. Richard J. Blackwell, Saint Louis University, Physis, Vol. XXI (1994)

Author Information

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

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