A Sceptical Theory of Scientific Inquiry: Problems and Their Progress

A Sceptical Theory of Scientific Inquiry: Problems and Their Progress PDF

Author: Laurence Barry Briskman

Publisher: BRILL

Published: 2020-06-02

Total Pages: 234

ISBN-13: 900442962X

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A Sceptical Theory of Scientific Inquiry: Problems and Their Progress presents a distinctive re-interpretation of Popper’s ‘critical rationalism’, displaying the kind of spirit found at the L.S.E. before Popper’s retirement. It offers an alternative to interpretations of critical rationalism which have emphasised the significance of research programmes or metaphysics (Lakatos; Nicholas Maxwell), and is closer to the approach of Jagdish Hattiangadi. Briskman gives priority to methodological argument rather than logical formalisms, and takes further his own work on creativity. In addition to offering an important contribution to the understanding of critical rationalism, the book contains interesting engagements with Michael Polanyi and the Meno Paradox. This volume also contains an introduction by the editor, which situates Briskman’s work in the history of the interpretation of ‘critical rationalism’.

Rightness and Reasons

Rightness and Reasons PDF

Author: Michael Krausz

Publisher: Cornell University Press

Published: 2019-05-15

Total Pages: 193

ISBN-13: 1501744569

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Must there be a single right interpretation of a particular cultural entity? In his book Michael Krausz considers this question in such representative cultural practices as music, visual art, history, and cross-cultural understanding. Krausz advances two main theses. First, he argues, the notion that there must be a single right interpretation in cultural practices—the "singularist" view—is misplaced. Without acceding to an interpretive anarchism, he embraces the "multiplist" view that cultural practices characteristically allow a multiplicity of ideally admissible interpretations. In his discussion Krausz critically outlines the maneuvers available to both singularists and multiplists. Second, Krausz notes that singularists characteristically construe their objects-of-interpretation along realist lines, and multiplists along constructionist lines. But, he argues, these associations are not necessary: the singularist condition is not guaranteed by realism, nor the multiplist by constructionism. Krausz holds that the question of interpretive ideals is detachable from the dispute between realists and constructionists. Addressing topics of intense concern within mainstream analytic philosophy and in many other areas of cultural investigation, Rightness and Reasons will be rewarding reading for aestheticians, musicologists, art historians, literary theorists, historiographers, and anthropologists.

The Rationality of Science

The Rationality of Science PDF

Author: W.H. Newton-Smith

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2002-02-07

Total Pages: 471

ISBN-13: 1134930968

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A clear, original and systematic introduction to philosophy of science which examines the theories of Popper, Lakatos, Kuhn and Feyerabend before proposing a new, temperate rationalist perspective.

Culture, Curiosity and Communication in Scientific Discovery

Culture, Curiosity and Communication in Scientific Discovery PDF

Author: Nigel . Sanitt

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2018-10-03

Total Pages: 201

ISBN-13: 0429861834

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Many aspects of research activity in science are opaque to outsiders and this opacity infects how connections are made between science and other disciplines. The aim of Culture, Curiosity and Communication in Scientific Discovery is to try to shine a light through the mist of scientific research by way of examples taken from the sciences, social sciences and the humanities. The book maintains that the foundations of science are built on sand because theories come and go and the search for truth is elusive. Knowledge acquisition appears to be an end in itself, as though knowledge is some sort of commodity or object that can be traded. Nigel Sanitt explains that we have created a mythical objective world, where we pretend that opinions and values are generated by data alone and not by human beings. Science is part of our culture and part of the understanding of science is bound up with recognizing the social, economic and political ramifications as they apply to science. Culture, Curiosity and Communication in Scientific Discovery is a radical interpretation of how science works and aims to change the way scientists and non-scientists think about science.

The Logic of Discovery

The Logic of Discovery PDF

Author: S. Kleiner

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 1993-07-31

Total Pages: 364

ISBN-13: 9780792323716

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Scientific research is viewed as a deliberate activity and the logic of discovery consists of strategies and arguments whereby the best objectives (questions) and optimal means for achieving these objectives (heuristics) are chosen. This book includes a discussion and some proposals regarding the way the logic of questions can be applied to understanding scientific research and draws upon work in artificial intelligence in a discussion of heuristics and methods for appraising heuristics (metaheuristics). It also includes a discussion of a third source for scientific objectives and heuristics; episodes and examplars from the history of science and the history of philosophy. This book is written to be accessible to advanced students in philosophy and to the scientific community. It is of interest to philosophers of science, philosophers of biology, historians of physics, and historians of biology.

Sceptical Essays

Sceptical Essays PDF

Author: Bertrand Russell

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2021-09-08

Total Pages: 244

ISBN-13: 1000474313

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'These propositions may seem mild, yet, if accepted, they would absolutely revolutionize human life.' With these words Bertrand Russell introduces what is indeed a revolutionary book. Taking as his starting-point the irrationality of the world, he offers by contrast something 'wildly paradoxical and subversive' - a belief that reason should determine human actions. Today, besieged as we are by the numbing onslaught of twenty-first-century capitalism, Russell's defence of scepticism and independence of mind is as timely as ever. In clear, engaging prose, he guides us through the key philosophical issues that affect our daily lives - freedom, happiness, emotions, ethics and beliefs - and offers no-nonsense advice.

Science and Scepticism

Science and Scepticism PDF

Author: John W.N. Watkins

Publisher: Princeton University Press

Published: 2014-07-14

Total Pages: 407

ISBN-13: 1400857368

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This book contains important technical innovations, including comparative measures for the testable content, depth, and unity of scientific theories. Originally published in 1984. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.