E-Book Overview
Scientific pluralism is an issue at the forefront of philosophy of science. This landmark work addresses the question, Can pluralism be advanced as a general, philosophical interpretation of science? Scientific Pluralism demonstrates the viability of the view that some phenomena require multiple accounts. Pluralists observe that scientists present various-sometimes even incompatible-models of the world and argue that this is due to the complexity of the world and representational limitations. Including investigations in biology, physics, economics, psychology, and mathematics, this work provides an empirical basis for a consistent stance on pluralism and makes the case that it should change the ways that philosophers, historians, and social scientists analyze scientific knowledge.
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MINNESOTA STUDIES IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
MINNESOTA STUDIES IN THE PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE
Editorial Board Ronald N. Giere (Philosophy, University of Minnesota) Keith Gunderson (Philosophy, University of Minnesota) Geoffrey Hellman (Philosophy, University of Minnesota) Helen E. Longino (Philosophy, Stanford University) C. Wade Savage (Philosophy, University of Minnesota) Also in this series: Logical Empiricism in North America Gary L. Hardcastle and Alan W. Richardson, Editors Volume XVIII Quantum Measurement: Beyond Paradox Richard A. Healey and Geoffrey Hellman, Editors Volume XVII Origins of Logical Empiricism Ronald N. Giere and Alan W. Richardson, Editors Volume XVI Cognitive Models of Science Ronald N. Giere, Editor Volume XV
Minnesota Studies in the PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE C. KENNETH WATERS, GENERAL EDITOR HERBERT FEIGL, FOUNDING EDITOR
VOLUME XIX
Scientific Pluralism
STEPHEN H. KELLERT, HELEN E. LONGINO, AND
C. KENNETH WATERS, EDITORS
University of Minnesota Press Minneapolis London
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