Progress in Science: Stories, Philosophies, and the Scientific Method

by Robert McGrath

This is an eclectic, multidisciplinary book about science for the non-scientist, generally considered to be the curious, intelligent adult learner who does not necessarily have any more education in science than we learned in high school. At the same time, it sheds light on some of the difficulties commonly experienced in university research, in “publish or perish” etc., of the kind that impact science as it finally arrives for general consumption through the mass media. The chapters in the first part lay backgrounds in logic and probability, philosophy of science and social constructionism, and the scientific method. Chapters in the second part survey the history of scientific progress, in ancient Greece through the Platonic Patristic era, from about 500 BCE to 500 CE; 13th century university based scholasticism; Copernicus through Newton a.k.a. “the” Scientific Revolution through mostly the 17th century; giants of thermodynamics and electromagnetism in the 19th century, 20th century Relativity and Quantum Theories; and a concluding chapter uses Astronomy and Cosmology as a vehicle for an overall synthesis. Many philosophy of science questions resonate such as the possibility of proof, language v. mathematical realism, and the Epistemological mediation of knowledge by experimental technology during scientific enquiry. Along the way many common myths and apocryphal stories are corrected and/or magnified. A little mathematical savvy will help take one’s understanding to the next level but otherwise math is only used to help illustrate conceptual points.

402 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2025