Overview

""The book provides an excellent historical summary of the debates over continental drift theory in this century."" —Contemporary Sociology ""This is a useful discussion of the way that science works. The book will be of value to philosophers of science . . . "" —Choice "" . . . will find an important place in university and department libraries, and will interest afficionados of the factual and intellectual history of the earth sciences."" —Terra Nova "" . . . an excellent core analysis . . . "" —The Times Higher Education Supplement "" . . . an ambitious and important contribution to the new sociology of science."" —American Journal of Sociology "" . . . Stewart's book is a noble effort, an interesting and readable discussion, and another higher notch on the scoreboard of critical scholarship that deserves wide examination and close attention."" —Geophysics This fascinating book describes the rise and fall and rebirth of continental drift theory in this century. It uses the recent revolution in geoscientinsts' beliefs about the earth to examine questions such as, How does scientific knowledge develop and change? The book also explores how well different perspectives help us to understand revolutionary change in science.

Full Product Details

Author:   John A. Stewart
Publisher:   Indiana University Press
Imprint:   Indiana University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 2.20cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.708kg
ISBN:  

9780253354051

ISBN 10:   0253354056
Pages:   304
Publication Date:   22 May 1990
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Preface 1. Perspectives on Scientific Revolutions Diverse Perspectives on the Nature of Scientific Revolutions Data and Theory Testing in the History of Science Overview of the Chapters 2. The Rise and Fall of Continental Drift Theory Geological Thought in the Early 1900s Continental Drift Theories The Response to Wegener: 1920-1945 Discussion and Conclusions 3. Specialization without Integrating Theory: 1945-1959 Oceanography Seismology Geochronology Geosyncline Theory and Continental Accretion Paleomagnetism Global Theories Discussion and Conclusions 4. Plate Tectonics: Its Origin, Development, and Opponents The Seafloor Spreading Hypothesis: 1960-1963 Growing Evidence for Seafloor Spreading: 1964-1966 The Rise and Partial Acceptance of Plate Tectonics: 1967-1970 Developments in the 1970s and Continuing Problems Opposition By A Minority Summary and Discussion 5. Philosophical and Historical Perspectives Logical Empiricism Critical Rationalism Sophisticated Falsificationism The Problem-Solving Perspective General Problems with the Rationalist Perspectives The Paradigm Perspective Models and Analogies in Science Conclusion and Overview: The Paradigm Paradigm 6. Social Perspectives on Decision-Making in Science Decisions in a Typical Research Project Source and Iconic Models for Studying Decision-Making in Science Decison-Making in Social Organizations The Motivations of Scientists and the Context of Research Sociological Perspectives on Science Measuring the Global Properties of Decision-Making in a Scientific Discipline Summary and Conclusions 7. Quantitative Studies Predicting the Influence of Scientific Conversations Assessing the Importance of Social and Scientific Interests Predicting Published Opinions on Continental Drift Theory: 1900-1950 Conclusions 8. Reflect

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