Includes bibliographical references (pages 256-263) and index.
Contents:
Science as knowledge derived from the facts of experience -- Observation as practical intervention -- Experiment -- Deriving theories from the facts: induction -- Introducing falsificationism -- Sophisticated falsificationism, novel predictions and the growth of science -- The limitations of falsificationism -- Theories as structures I: Kuhn's paradigms -- Theories as structures II: research programs -- Feyerabend's anarchistic theory of science -- Methodical changes in method -- The Bayesian approach -- The new experimentalism -- Why should the world obey laws? -- Realism and anti-realism.
Summary:
"This revised and extended edition offers a concise and illuminating treatment of major developments in the field over the last two decades, with the same accessible style which ensured the popularity of previous editions. Of particular importance is the examination of Bayesianism and the new experimentalism, as well as new chapters on the nature of scientific laws and recent trends in the realism versus anti-realism debate."--Jacket.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.