Reading the Book of Nature: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science

by Peter Kosso

This is an introductory survey to the philosophy of science suitable for beginners and nonspecialists. Its point of departure is the question: why should we believe what science tells us about the world? In this attempt to justify the claims of science the book treats such topics as observation data, confirmation of theories, and the explanation of phenomena. The writing is clear and concrete with detailed examples drawn from contemporary science: solar neutrinos, the gravitational bending of light, and the creation/evolution debate, for example. What emerges is a view of science in which observation relies on theory to give it meaning and credibility, while theory relies on observation for its motivation and validation. It is shown that this reciprocal support is not circular since the theory used to support a particular observation is independent of the theory for which the observation serves as evidence.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

212 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 1992

Reviews

[Anja]

This could have been a 10 pages brochure. But you get an additional 210 pages of pompous and lengthy nothingness.

[isabelle]

theory of knowledge core
makes me want to play heaven's vault again. unfortunately that game is just as boring as this book :P (not horrific by philosophy standards, but very long winded and repetitive)

[Lara]

This book was far too long, and as Thomas wrote, really should have been a short pamphlet. The professors teaching the course admitted to not liking the text, which is also alarming. The philosophy of science is important and should be integrated with some historical background, not just lofty examples. I am interested in the subjects the book covered, but only felt less informed by the end of the book.

[Stine]

«It is time to consider observations made with complicated machines.»
- Peter Kosso on electron microscopy

[Jeff]

I have to say, out of the half-dozen or so books on philosophy of science that I've read, this is the best so far. Kosso, who teaches philosophy at Northern Arizona University, has written an outstanding introduction to POS which is different from most others on the subject. He takes a non-traditional approach to the subject (for traditional approaches, see three others as examples: Theory & Reality, by Peter Godfrey-Smith; Philosophy of Science, by Geoffrey Graham; and Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction, by S. Okasha). I really like the way Kosso describes and explains in clear and understandable terms exactly what philosophy of science is. This is one book I highly recommend to everyone.

[Thomas Haaland]

Some useful perspectives, but waaay to wordy. Could and should have been a 20 page pamphlet.

[Gabriel Vallejos Baccelliere]

One of the better introductions to philosophy of science that I have ever read.