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About this book
A unique approach to the philosophy of science that focuses on the liveliest and most important controversies surrounding science Is science more rational or objective than any other intellectual endeavor? Are scientific theories accurate depictions of reality or just useful devices for manipulating the environment? These core questions are the focus of this unique approach to the philosophy of science. Unlike standard textbooks, this book does not attempt a comprehensive review of the entire field, but makes a selection of the most vibrant debates and issues. The author tackles such stimulating questions as: Can science meet the challenges of skeptics? Should science address questions traditionally reserved for philosophy and religion? Further, does science leave room for human values, free will, and moral responsibility? Written in an accessible, jargon-free style, the text succinctly presents complex ideas in an easily understandable fashion. By using numerous examples taken from diverse areas such as evolutionary theory, paleontology, and astronomy, the author piques readers' curiosity in current scientific controversies. Concise bibliographic essays at the end of each chapter invite readers to sample ideas different from the ones offered in the text and to explore the range of opinions on each topic. Rigorous yet highly readable, this excellent invitation to the philosophy of science makes a convincing case that understanding the nature of science is essential for understanding life itself.
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Yes, you can access It Started with Copernicus by Keith Parsons in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Biological Sciences & Science Research & Methodology. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Chapter One - Copernican Questions
- Chapter Two - Is Science Really Rational? The Problem of Incommensurability
- Chapter Three - A Walk on the Wild Side: Social Constructivism, Postmodernism, Feminism, and that Old-Time Religion
- Chapter Four - Ascending the Slippery Slope: Scientific Progress and Truth
- Chapter Five - Truth or Consequences?
- Chapter Six - Mysteries of Method
- Chapter Seven - If you have Science, who Needs Philosophy?
- Chapter Eight - Science, Scientism, and being Human
- Index
- Back Cover