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How does science work? Does it tell us what the world is “really” like? What makes it different from other ways of understanding the universe? In Theory and Reality, Peter Godfrey-Smith addresses these questions by taking the reader on a grand tour of more than a hundred years of debate about science. The result is a completely accessible introduction to the main themes of the philosophy of science. Examples and asides engage the beginning student; a glossary of terms explains key concepts; and suggestions for further reading are included at the end of each chapter.
Like no other text in this field, Theory and Reality combines a survey of recent history of the philosophy of science with current key debates that any beginning scholar or critical reader can follow. The second edition is thoroughly updated and expanded by the author with a new chapter on truth, simplicity, and models in science.
Preface
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Empiricism
Chapter 3 Evidence and Induction
Chapter 4 Popper: Conjecture and Refutation
Chapter 5 Kuhn’s Revolution
Chapter 6 Theories and Frameworks
Chapter 7 The Challenge from Sociology of Science
Chapter 8 Science Is Political
Chapter 9 Naturalistic Philosophy
Chapter 10 Scientific Realism
Chapter 11 Explanation, Laws, and Causes
Chapter 12 Bayesianism and New Views of Evidence
Chapter 13 Truth, Simplicity, and Other Problems
Chapter 14 The Future
Glossary
Websites
References
Index
Description
How does science work? Does it tell us what the world is “really” like? What makes it different from other ways of understanding the universe? In Theory and Reality, Peter Godfrey-Smith addresses these questions by taking the reader on a grand tour of more than a hundred years of debate about science. The result is a completely accessible introduction to the main themes of the philosophy of science. Examples and asides engage the beginning student; a glossary of terms explains key concepts; and suggestions for further reading are included at the end of each chapter.
Like no other text in this field, Theory and Reality combines a survey of recent history of the philosophy of science with current key debates that any beginning scholar or critical reader can follow. The second edition is thoroughly updated and expanded by the author with a new chapter on truth, simplicity, and models in science.