Philosophy Of Science: Very Short Introduction

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How much faith should we place in what scientists tell us? Is it possible for scientific knowledge to be fully 'objective'? What, really, can be defined as science? In the second edition of this Very Short Introduction, Samir Okasha explores the main themes and theories of contemporary philosophy of science, and investigates fascinating, challenging questions such as these. Starting at the very beginning, with a concise overview of the history of science, Okasha examines the nature of fundamental practices such as reasoning, causation, and explanation. Looking at scientific revolutions and the issue of scientific change, he asks whether there is a discernible pattern to the way scientific ideas change over time, and discusses realist versus anti-realist attitudes towards science. He finishes by considering science today, and the social and ethical philosophical questions surrounding modern science. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

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OUP CORRECTED PROOF – FINAL, 27/04/16, SPi Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction OUP CORRECTED PROOF – FINAL, 27/04/16, SPi VERY SHORT INTRODUCTIONS are for anyone wanting a stimulating and accessible way into a new subject. They are written by experts, and have been translated into more than 40 different languages. The series began in 1995, and now covers a wide variety of topics in every discipline. The VSI library now contains over 450 volumes—a Very Short Introduction to everything from Psychology and Philosophy of Science to American History and Relativity—and continues to grow in every subject area. Very Short Introductions available now: ACCOUNTING  Christopher Nobes ADOLESCENCE  Peter K. Smith ADVERTISING  Winston Fletcher AFRICAN AMERICAN RELIGION  Eddie S. Glaude Jr AFRICAN HISTORY  John Parker and Richard Rathbone AFRICAN RELIGIONS  Jacob K. Olupona AGNOSTICISM  Robin Le Poidevin AGRICULTURE  Paul Brassley and Richard Soffe ALEXANDER THE GREAT  Hugh Bowden ALGEBRA  Peter M. Higgins AMERICAN HISTORY  Paul S. Boyer AMERICAN IMMIGRATION  David A. Gerber AMERICAN LEGAL HISTORY  G. Edward White AMERICAN POLITICAL HISTORY  Donald Critchlow AMERICAN POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTIONS  L. Sandy Maisel AMERICAN POLITICS  Richard M. Valelly THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY  Charles O. Jones THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION  Robert J. Allison AMERICAN SLAVERY  Heather Andrea Williams THE AMERICAN WEST  Stephen Aron AMERICAN WOMEN’S HISTORY  Susan Ware ANAESTHESIA  Aidan O’Donnell ANARCHISM  Colin Ward ANCIENT ASSYRIA  Karen Radner ANCIENT EGYPT  Ian Shaw ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ART AND ARCHITECTURE  Christina Riggs ANCIENT GREECE  Paul Cartledge THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST  Amanda H. Podany ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY  Julia Annas ANCIENT WARFARE  Harry Sidebottom ANGELS  David Albert Jones ANGLICANISM  Mark Chapman THE ANGLO-SAXON AGE  John Blair THE ANIMAL KINGDOM  Peter Holland ANIMAL RIGHTS  David DeGrazia THE ANTARCTIC  Klaus Dodds ANTISEMITISM  Steven Beller ANXIETY  Daniel Freeman and Jason Freeman THE APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS  Paul Foster ARCHAEOLOGY  Paul Bahn ARCHITECTURE  Andrew Ballantyne ARISTOCRACY  William Doyle ARISTOTLE  Jonathan Barnes ART HISTORY  Dana Arnold ART THEORY  Cynthia Freeland ASTROBIOLOGY  David C. Catling ASTROPHYSICS  James Binney ATHEISM  Julian Baggini AUGUSTINE  Henry Chadwick AUSTRALIA  Kenneth Morgan AUTISM  Uta Frith THE AVANT GARDE  David Cottington THE AZTECS  Davíd Carrasco BACTERIA  Sebastian G. B. Amyes OUP CORRECTED PROOF – FINAL, 27/04/16, SPi BARTHES  Jonathan Culler THE BEATS  Da