Just A Theory: Exploring The Nature Of Science

by Mordechai Ben-Ari

Some people claim that evolution is "just a theory". Do you know what a scientific theory really is? Just a theory is an overview of the modern concepts of science. A clear understanding of the nature of science will enable you to distinguish science from pseudoscience (which illegitimately wraps itself in the mantle of science), and real social issues in science from the caricatures portrayed in postmodernist critiques.Prof. Ben-Ari's style is light (even humorous) and easy to read, bringing the latest concepts of science to the general reader. Of particular interest is his analysis of the terminology of science (fact, law, proof, theory) in relation to the colloquial meaning of these terms.Between chapters are biographical vignettes of scientists - both familiar and unfamiliar - showing their common commitment to the enterprise of science, together with a diversity of backgrounds and personalities.This accessible, informative, and comprehensive work will give lay readers a good grasp of real science.

Genres: Science, Philosophy, Nonfiction

237 pages, Paperback

Published April 8, 2005

About the author

Also goes by Moti Ben-Ari.

Reviews

[Armin Hashemi]

برای کسانی که هیچ آشنایی ای با علم ندارند کتاب مفیدی است. متاسفانه تعریف دقیقی که بشود به عنوان یک کتاب مرجع درباره نظریه و قانون از آن استقاده کرد به ما نمی دهد، ولی مثال های زیادی برای شناختن آورده است.

[Pasparto]

مقدمه خوبیه بر فلسفه علم، از کتاب سمیر اکاشا کمتر فلسفیه ولی مثالهای تاریخی متعددی داره. به نظر من گاهی با قاطعیت یا ساده سازی بیش از اندازه‌ای حرف میزنه ولی فکر میکنم کتاب مفیدیه
ترجمه کتاب ولی ضعیف هست و بعضی جاها میتونه گمراه کننده باشه.
این کتاب ترجمه کتاب زیر هست:
http://www.amazon.com/Just-Theory-Exp...

[Steve]

It wasn't a riveting, page-turning story, but I was entertained nonetheless. I recommend this as a great introductory book on the philosophy of science.

Note: for whatever reason, there were more typographical errors than I would normally brush off without comment. None of them made it unreadable or more difficult to understand.

[Zah Ra]

ناشر این کتاب بعد از ترجمه اگر کتاب ها را بدهد یک فیزیکدان بخواند بسیار خوب است چون با کلی لغات ترجمه شده نامفهوم روبرو شدم و بعد با مشاهده کلمه انگلیسی متوجه شدم مترجم با کلمه مورد قبول فیزیکدان ها ترجمه نکرده.در کل کتاب پراکنده گویی بسیار زیادی دارد. به نظرم خواندنی نبود.

[Muhammad]

ترجمه اش نیاز به ترجمه داره

[Hossein Mos'hafi]

این کتاب بینش خوبی درباره ماهیت علم و نظریه‌های علمی به شما می‌دهد. به موضوعات بسیار جالبی در علم می‌پردازد که نسبتا به روز هستند.
بیان فلسفی ندارد و راحت و روان ویژگی‌های نظریات علمی را توضیح می‌دهد. با فصل آخر که به مطرح کردن دیدگاه‌های نویسنده پیرامون آینده علم هست کمی مشکل داشتم و پذیرفتن حرف‌هایش دشوار است ولی در کل نگاه نویسنده جالب و درخور توجه است.

[Arioua Abdallah]

The book introduces science using easily accessible language for non-specialists. At first glance the book may seem holding a grudge against religion and creationism, but after an objective reading this apparent clash gets clarified when the author mentions some creationistic points of view and comments them. What I've appreciated the most about book is the appeal to logic (formal) and reason. I think this is due to the fact that the author comes from an area of formal science where logic is worshiped (Computer Science :) ). I highly recommend the book.

[Steen]

This was a textbook for me, and as far as textbooks go, it's a bit biased. As one of my classmates said, "I'm pretty sure Ben-Ari got punched in the face by a priest, and so now he just hates everyone with religion."
Bias aside, it's a good, succinct book, compared to others we've read. (I didn't read all of it; just what I was assigned, so don't take my word as gold.)

[Chad]

Great book that breaks down the scientific method.

[Moslem Ahmadvand]

A great book. Recommended to anybody who loves science.