Scientific Method: A Historical And Philosophical Introduction

Scientific Method ‘Barry Gower’s book introduces students to the philosophy of science in a way I heartily applaud: scientific method, logic and probability are given centre-stage and are developed historically—through examination of the views of some of the greats: Galileo, Bacon, Newton, Bayes, Poincaré, …, and in close connection with developments in science itself. Theses and arguments are presented with great clarity and sound judgement.’ John Worral, LSE The results, conclusions and claims of science are often taken to be reliable because they arise from the use of a distinctive method. Yet today, there is widespread scepticism as to whether we can validly talk of method in modern science. This outstanding new survey explains how this controversy has developed since the seventeenth century and explores its philosophical basis. Scientific Method • • • • introduces readers to controversies concerning method in the natural sciences provides an historical context to these issues shows that questions of method have played a vital role in the work of scientists challenges the current view that scientific method is a philosophical fiction. Questions of scientific method are discussed through key figures such as Galileo, Bacon, Newton, Bayes, Darwin, Poincaré, Duhem, Popper and Carnap. The concluding chapter contains stimulating discussions of attacks on the idea of scientific method by key figures such as Kuhn, Lakatos, and Feyerabend. Essential reading for students of history and the philosophy of science, Scientific Method will also appeal to anyone with an interest in what philosophers say about science. Barry Gower teaches Philosophy of Science at Durham University. Scientific Method An historical and philosophical introduction Barry Gower London and New York First published 1997 by Routledge 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2002. Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001 © 1997 Barry Gower The author has asserted his moral rights in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Library of Congress Cataloguing in Publication Data Gower, Barry. Scientific method: an historical and philosophical introduction/Barry Gower. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. Science-Methodology. 2. Science-Methodology-Philosophy. 3. Science-Methodology-History. I. Title. Q175.G685 1996 502.8–dc20 96–7865 CIP ISBN ISBN ISBN ISBN <