Awards

• "Winner of A 1997 Choice Magazine ""Outstanding Academic Title."
• Winner of A 1997 Choice Magazine Outstanding Academic Title.
• Winner of A 1997 Choice Magazine ""Outstanding Academic Title.

Overview

Explaining why he embraced the theory of relativity, the Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist P. A. M. Dirac stated, ""It is the essential beauty of the theory which I feel is the real reason for believing in it."" How reasonable and rational can science be when its practitioners speak of ""revolutions"" in their thinking and extol certain theories for their ""beauty""? James W. McAllister addresses this question with the first systematic study of the aesthetic evaluations that scientists pass on their theories. Using a wealth of other examples, McAllister explains how scientists' aesthetic preferences are influenced by the empirical track record of theories, describes the origin and development of aesthetic styles of theorizing, and reconsiders whether simplicity is an empirical or an aesthetic virtue of theories. McAllister then advances an innovative model of scientific revolutions, in opposition to that of Thomas S. Kuhn. Three detailed studies demonstrate the interconnection of empirical performance, beauty, and revolution. One examines the impact of new construction materials on the history of architecture. Another reexamines the transition from the Ptolemaic system to Kepler's theory in planetary astronomy, and the third documents the rise of relativity and quantum theory in the twentieth century.

Full Product Details

9780801486258

Table of Contents

Reviews

An outstanding contribution to a little developed aspect of the philosophy and history of science. Marx W. Wartofsky, Baruch College

This is a lively and well-written account of what is too often a deadly dull topic that appeals only to masochistic cognoscenti. Because it asks questions that diplomatic historians ought to be asking, it is much to be welcomed. -Frank Ninkovich, The International History Review, March 2003.

<p> A valuable, important, persuasively argued book. Highly recommended. Choice

This is a great book. It clearly and concisely does what it sets out to do: It examines the basic philosophical and sociological theories of the role of aesthetics in science, it identifies the critical assumptions and contradictions that differentiate these views, and it provides a carefully reasoned, well-documented and novel approach to the issues. Best of all, the book is eminently readable. Anyone interested in the bases of scientific controversies, the nature of scientific revolutions, or the similarities and differences between the sciences and the arts should definitely read McAllister's book. It may prove to be as fundamental as Thomas S. Kuhn's Structure of Scientific Revolutions. -American Scientist A valuable, important, persuasively argued book. Highly recommended. -Choice An outstanding contribution to a little developed aspect of the philosophy and history of science. -Marx W. Wartofsky, Baruch College

Author Information

James W. McAllister is Associate Professor at the Institute of Philosophy, University of Leiden, and the editor of the journal, International Studies in the Philosophy of Science.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available