Reduction, Time and Reality: Studies in the Philosophy of the Natural Sciences

by Richard Healey

The contributors to this 1981 volume are all concerned with scientific realism, but each author questions or rejects aspects of the way it has traditionally been discussed. There are three main foci of attention - reduction, time and modality - and the analyses bring out complexities and difficulties obscured in the standard accounts of scientific realism. The papers are powerful and original, representing some of the best in modern philosophy of science, and each were specifically commissioned for the volume. It is an excellent source book for courses on realism or the philosophy of science. The book therefore takes its place in the informal series of volumes arising from meetings sponsored by the Thyssen Foundation, which already includes C. Hookway and P. Pettit (eds.) Action and Interpretation (C. U. P. 1978) and R. Harrison (ed.) Rational Action (C. U. P. 1980).

216 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 1981

Reviews

[Albert-Jan Jorna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the essays specifically by Paul Davies, Richard Healey and Lawrence Sklar and surely the other ones will be of the same high quality as these are the only ones I read. What can I say: old stuff, but gives me confidence on being on the right track of the material. Very insightful and down to the bone, no marrow. Although you could say the other way around, only the good stuff, no bs. Recommended by a prof and happy I read it. Thumbs up