Theories of Scientific Method: an Introduction

Philosophy and Science

by Robert Nola, Howard Sankey

What is it to be scientific? Is there such a thing as scientific method? And if so, how might such methods be justified? Robert Nola and Howard Sankey seek to provide answers to these fundamental questions in their exploration of the major recent theories of scientific method. Although for many scientists their understanding of method is something they just pick up in the course of being trained, Nola and Sankey argue that it is possible to be explicit about what this tacit understanding of method is, rather than leave it as some unfathomable mystery. They robustly defend the idea that there is such a thing as scientific method and show how this might be legitimated. This book begins with the question of what methodology might mean and explores the notions of values, rules and principles, before investigating how methodologists have sought to show that our scientific methods are rational. Part 2 of this book sets out some principles of inductive method and examines its alternatives including abduction, IBE, and hypothetico-deductivism. Part 3 introduces probabilistic modes of reasoning, particularly Bayesianism in its various guises, and shows how it is able to give an account of many of the values and rules of method. Part 4 considers the ideas of philosophers who have proposed distinctive theories of method such as Popper, Lakatos, Kuhn and Feyerabend and Part 5 continues this theme by considering philosophers who have proposed naturalised theories of method such as Quine, Laudan and Rescher. This book offers readers a comprehensive introduction to the idea of scientific method and a wide-ranging discussion of how historians of science, philosophers of science and scientists have grappled with the question over the last fifty years.

Genres: Philosophy

389 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 18, 2014

Reviews

[Matt Mayevsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not undertake a review of this book. I miss the point of reference in the form of similar, read publications. I can only conclude that "Theories of Scientific Method" stimulated my appetite for further deepening of knowledge. This is definitely reading for nerds, to which I include myself up. I do not recommend books for beginner readers on the philosophy of science. Especially for those who get skin crawl at the sight of mathematical formulas. For the rest, this publication will be good choice.

Here you will find a consistent reflection on the theory of scientific method. You will learn about how and why the scientific method has changed over time and who among philosophers of science have the greatest impact on the development and interpretation of methodology. In my opinion, the most interesting are the chapters about the method of induction, hypothetical-deductive and probability. Most trouble gave me last chapter of naturalism, pragmatism and realism. Perhaps this is due to the marathon of reading, and perhaps once again I should read everything from the beginning. Anyway, for sure it will not end with this book.

If you assign your career with science, sooner or later, you should use this book. I would advise sooner.