Prematurity in scientific discovery : on resistance and neglect / edited by Ernest B. Hook.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Hook, Ernest B., 1936-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Discoveries in science--Congresses.

Discoveries in science.

Science--Philosophy.

Science.

Stent, Gunther S. (Gunther Siegmund), 1924-2008.

Stent, Gunther S.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (399 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Berkeley : University of California Press, c2002.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

For centuries, observers have noted the many obstacles to intellectual change in science. In a much-discussed paper published in Scientific American in 1972, molecular biologist Gunther Stent proposed an explicit criterion for one kind of obstacle to scientific discovery. He denoted a claim or hypothesis as "premature" if its implications cannot be connected to canonical knowledge by a simple series of logical steps. Further, Stent suggested that it was appropriate for the scientific community to ignore such hypotheses so that it would not be overwhelmed by vast numbers of false leads. In this volume, eminent scientists, physicians, historians, social scientists, and philosophers respond to Stent's thesis.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Figures and Tables

Preface

Acknowledgements

Contributors

1. A Background to Prematurity and Resistance to "Discovery"

2. Prematurity in Scientific Discovery

3. Prematurity, Nuclear Fission, and the Transuranium Actinide Elements

4. Resistance to Change and New Ideas in Physics: A Personal Perspective

5. The Timeliness of the Discoveries of the Three Modes of Gene Transfer in Bacteria

6. Scotoma: Forgetting and Neglect in Science

7. Prematurity and Delay in the Prevention of Scurvy

8. A Triptych to Serendip: Prematurity and Resistance to Discovery in the Earth Sciences

9. Theories of an Expanding Universe: Implications of Their Reception for the Concept of Scientific Prematurity

10. Interdisciplinary Dissonance and Prematurity: Ida Noddack's Suggestion of Nuclear Fission

11. Michael Polanyi's Theory of Surface Adsorption: How Premature?

12. Prematurity and the Dynamics of Scientific Change

13. Barbara McClintock's Controlling Elements: Premature Discovery or Stillborn Theory?

14. The Work of Joseph Adams and Archibald Garrod: Possible Examples of Prematurity in Human Genetics

15. The Prematurity of Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection

16. Prematurity, Evolutionary Biology, and the Historical Sciences

17. The Prematurity of "Prematurity" in Political Science

18. The Impact and Fate of Gunther Stent's Prematurity Thesis

19. Premature Discovery Is Failure of Intersection among Social Worlds

20. Fleck, Kuhn, and Stent: Loose Reflections on the Notion of Prematurity

21. The Concept of Prematurity and the Philosophy of Science

22. Prematurity and Promise: Why Was Stent's Notion of Prematurity Itself So Premature?

23. Reflections on Hull's Remarks

24. Comments

25. Extensions and Complexities: In Defense of Prematurity in Scientific Discovery

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Description based on print version record and CIP data provided by publisher; resource not viewed.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9786612356728

9780520927735

0520927737

9781282356726

1282356720

9781597348300

1597348309

OCLC:

475931610