E-Book Overview
Alexander Bird's book is a concise, solid and thorough introduction to philosophy of science. As such, it covers all the major topics in a typical (Anglo-American) university course on philosophy of science -- explanation, theory change, scientific realism, laws of nature, causation. Neighbouring fields are also discussed in some detail, plus some (at times original) new examples. The author makes clear that he has no intention of covering non-standard (or non-philosophical) approaches to science -- hence, there is little history of science, no detailed case studies and no SSK or science studies. The author is open about these limits, and they do not diminish in the least the usefulness of the book for any university/college course in mainstream philosophy of science. Yet another example of a good British (or should I say Scottish?) philosophy textbook!
E-Book Content
Philosophy of science Fundamentals of Philosophy Series editor: John Shand This series presents an up-to-date set of engrossing, accurate, and lively introductions to all the core areas of philosophy. Each volume is written by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable teacher of the area in question. Care has been taken to produce works that while evenhanded are not mere bland expositions, and as such are original pieces of philosophy in their own right. The reader should not only be well informed by the series, but also experience the intellectual excitement of being engaged in philosophical debate itself. The volumes serve as an essential basis for the undergraduate courses to which they relate, as well as being accessible and absorbing for the general reader. Together they comprise an indispensable library of living philosophy. Published: Piers Benn Ethics Alexander Bird Philosophy of Science Colin Lyas Aesthetics Alexander Miller Philosophy of Language Forthcoming: Stephen Burwood, Paul Gilbert,