Containing 31 readings reflecting the dynamism of the field, this book provides readers with the most current and relevant readings available on issues in the philosophy of science. All of the readings have been selected based on their clarity and coverage of the prevailing debates in the philosophy of science--from logical positivism to anit-realism. The book assumes no specialized training in formal logic or scientific methods and therefore can be appreciated by a wide range of readers.
Contents: Alternative approaches to the philosophy of science by Ernan McMullin Studies in the logic of explanation by Carl Hempel and Paul Oppenheim Statistical explanation by Carl Hempel Why ask, "Why?" : an inquiry concerning scientific explanation by Wesley Salmon Pragmatics of explanation by Bas van Fraassen Scientific theories and their domains by Dudley Shapere Programs in the explanation of behavior by Robert Cummins Ideals of natural order by Stephen Toulmin Confirmation of laws and theories by Rudolf Carnap Science : conjecture and refutations by Karl Popper Physical theory and experiement by Pierre Duhem Falsification and the methodology of scientific research programmes by Imre Lakatos Objectivity, value judgment, and theory choice by Thomas Kuhn Testing theoretical hypotheses by Ronald Giere The rationality of scientific revolutions by Karl Popper The function of dogma in scientific research by Thoman Kuhn The nature and necessity of scientific revolutions by Thomas Kuhn Dissecting the holist picture of scientific change by Larry Laudan Unity of science as a working hypothesis by Paul Oppenheim and Hilary Putnam Plurality of science by Patrick Suppes Unity and method in contemporary science by Dudley Shapere Arguments concerning scientific realism by Bas van Fraassen And not ani-realism either by Arthur Fine Realism and the instrumentalism in pre-Newtonian astronomy by Michael Gardner Experimentation and scientific realism by Ian Hacking