Science (Key Concepts In Philosophy)

Description:
'Key Concepts in Philosophy' is a series of concise, accessible and engaging introductions to the core ideas and subjects encountered in the study of philosophy. Specially written to meet the needs of students and those with an interest in, but little prior knowledge of, philosophy, these books open up fascinating, yet sometimes difficult ideas. The series builds to give a solid grounding in philosophy and each book is also ideal as a companion to further study. The philosophical questions raised by the history and practice of science are among the most complex and stimulating. The philosophy of science inquires into such matters as scientific reasoning, scientific explanation, the nature and value of scientific knowledge, progress in science, and the debate between realist and anti-realist views of science. 'Science: Key Concepts in Philosophy' is the ideal first stop for the student wishing to get to grips with this challenging subject. Written with the specific needs of students new to the discipline in mind, it covers the work of key thinkers and outlines clearly the central questions, problems and arguments encountered in studying the philosophy of science. The book considers such fundamentals as discovery, evidence, verification and falsification, realism and objectivity. It also draws on specific examples from the history of science to further illuminate the philosophical questions addressed. This is a practical and informative introduction to a major component of the undergraduate philosophy curriculum, as well as being a support to ongoing study.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: Discovery - Flash of Genius or Careful Observation; Chapter 3: Discovery - Heuristic Moves; Chapter 4: Evidence - Verification and Falsification; Chapter 5: Evidence - There's More to Seeing Than Meets the Eye; Chapter 6: Evidence - The Secret Life of the Experiment; Chapter 7: Realism - The Ultimate Argument; Chapter 8: Realism - The Role and Function of Theories; Chapter 9: Independence - Science as Social Activity; Chapter 10: Independence - 'Facts' and 'Truth'; Chapter 11: Where Does the Philosophy of Science Go From Here?

Author Biography:
Steven French is Professor of the Philosophy of Science at the University of Leeds, UK. He is the author of Science and Partial Truth (OUP, 2003) and numerous articles on the philosophy of science.