Four Decades of Scientific Explanation

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Salmon, Wesley C, Author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Science--Methodology.

Science.

Science--Methodology--History.

Genre:

History

Electronic books.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xviii, 234 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

[Place of publication not identified] University of Pittsburgh Press 2006

Language Note:

English

Summary:

As Aristotle stated, scientific explanation is based on deductive argument-yet, Wesley C. Salmon points out, not all deductive arguments are qualified explanations. The validity of the explanation must itself be examined. Four Decades of Scientific Explanation provides a comprehensive account of the developments in scientific explanation that transpired in the last four decades of the twentieth century. It continues to stand as the most comprehensive treatment of the writings on the subject during these years.Building on the historic 1948 essay by Carl G. Hempel and Paul Oppenheim, "Studies in the Logic of Explanation, " which introduced the deductive-nomological (D-N) model on which most work on scientific explanation was based for the following four decades, Salmon goes beyond this model's inherent basis of describing empirical knowledge to tells us "not only what, but also why. " Salmon examines the predominant models in chronological order and describes their development, refinement, and criticism or rejection. Four Decades of Scientific Explanation underscores the need for a consensus of approach and ongoing evaluations of methodology in scientific explanation, with the goal of providing a better understanding of natural phenomena.

Contents:

Intro

Contents

Foreword by Paul Humphreys

Preface

Introduction

The First Decade (1948-57): Peace in the Valley (but Some Trouble in the Foothills)

The Second Decade (1958-67): Manifest Destiny - Expansion and Conflict

The Third Decade (1968-77): Deepening Differences

The Fourth Decade (1978-87): A Time of Maturation

Conclusion: Peaceful Coexistence?

Notes

Chronological Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780822973027

0822973022

OCLC:

878132915