Synopses & Reviews
Arguing About Science is an outstanding, engaging introduction to the essential topics in philosophy of science, edited by two leading experts in the field. This exciting and innovative anthology contains a selection of classic and contemporary readings that examine a broad range of issues, from classic problems such as scientific reasoning; causation; and scientific realism, to more recent topics such as science and race; forensic science; and the scientific status of medicine.
The editors bring together some of the most influential contributions of famous philosophers in the field, including William Whewell, John Stuart Mill, Bertrand Russell, and Karl Popper as well as more recent extracts from philosophers and scientists such as Philip Kitcher, Daniel Dennett, Stephen Jay Gould, Robert Winston, Bas van Fraassen, and Nancy Cartwright. The anthology is organised into ten clear sections:
- science, non science and pseudo-science
- race, gender and science
- are science and religion compatible?
- scientific reasoning
- scientific explanation
- laws and causation
- science and medicine
- probability and forensic science
- risk, uncertainty and science policy
- scientific realism and anti-realism.
The articles chosen are clear, interesting, and free from unnecessary jargon. The editors provide lucid introductions to each section in which they provide an overview of the debate, as well as study questions and further reading.
Synopsis
Arguing About Science is a highly accessible, engaging introduction to the core questions in philosophy of science. This fresh, bold and exciting collection offers a selection of through provoking articles that examine a broad range of issues, from the demarcation problem, induction, and explanation, to contemporary issues such as the relationship between science and race and gender, and science and religion.
The editors bring together some of the most influential and controversial contributions of key philosophers in the field, including Karl Popper, Bertrand Russell, as well as extracts from popular publications such as New Scientist and The Guardian. They challenge the reader to reflect on debates on:
- Science, non science and pseudo-science
- Laws and causation
- Scientific explanation
- Is Medicine a science?
- Science and public policy
- Race, gender and science
- Are science and religion compatible?
The articles chosen are clear, interesting, and free from unnecessary jargon. The editors provide lucid introductions to each section in which he provides and overview of the debate and outlines the arguments of the papers, as well as study questions and further reading. Arguing About Science is an original and stimulating reader for students new to philosophy of science.