Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction

by Okasha, Samir

• ISBN13: 9780192802835
• ISBN10: 0192802836
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-08-29
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

What is science? Is there a real difference between science and myth? Is science objective? Can science explain everything? This Very Short Introduction provides a concise overview of the main themes of contemporary philosophy of science. Beginning with a short history of science to set thescene, Samir Okasha goes on to investigate the nature of scientific reasoning, scientific explanation, revolutions in science, and theories such as realism and anti-realism. He also looks at philosophical issues in particular sciences, including the problem of classification in biology, and thenature of space and time in physics. The final chapter touches on the conflicts between science and religion, and explores whether science is ultimately a good thing.

Author Biography

Samir Okasha is currently Lecturer in Philosophy, University of York. He has published numerous articles in philosophy journals, in the areas of philosophy of science, philosophy of biology, and epistemology. He has previously held a Jacobean Fellowship in Philosophy at University of London and has taught at the University of Mexico.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations	ix
What is science?	1	(17)
Scientific reasoning	18	(22)
Explanation in science	40	(18)
Realism and anti-realism	58	(19)
Scientific change and scientific revolutions	77	(18)
Philosophical problems in physics, biology and psychology	95	(25)
Science and its critics	120	(15)
Further reading	135	(6)
Index	141