Science : a many-splendored thing / Igor Novak.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Novak, Igor.

Series:

PSCC ebrary eBook Perpetual Titles.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Science.

Science and civilization.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (337 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Singapore ; London : World Scientific, 2011.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book provides the first integrated account of all factors which play a role in making Science what it is today. The book discusses historical, sociological and philosophical aspects of Science emphasizing their interconnectedness. It describes many o

Contents:

Dedication; Preface; Contents; List of Tables; List of Figures; Introduction; Is Science important?; Why is Science important?; What is Science?; In what ways is Science like a map?; Science and Culture; What is the principal difference between Science and other human activities?; Bibliography for Chapter 1:; Philosophical and Methodological Aspects of Science; Scientific community (SC); Example of the Scientific Community's role; Peer review and reward systems; The peer review system; Routes to scientific discovery and selection of research problem [2,8]; General characteristics of Science

The cycle of scientific activitiesScientific language; Metaphors; Laws of Nature; Models and theories; Distinguishing between Theory and Truth; Possible methodological errors in Science; General or universal statements; Singular statements; Types of scientific arguments; Critical thinking in Science and everyday life; Incorrect logical arguments (fallacies); Experimental Design and Scientific Evidence [11]; How does the shape of the kettle affect the time required to boil water?; How does the electrical resistance affect the boiling time?; Measurement errors; Sampling; Pseudo-science (PS)

Creationism's objections to evolutionary theory (ET)Creationist and scientific methodologies; Driving forces of Creationism; Scientific Knowledge; The span of scientific knowledge; Reductionism, determinism and irreversibility; Methodological reductionism; Ontological reductionism; Maps and complementary knowledge; Determinism and reductionism; Holism; Scientific knowledge and Philosophy of Science; Falsification cycle; Do Scientists attempt to falsify theories?; The causes of pathological Science and how to avoid it?; The validity of scientific results; Caveats; References for Chapter 2:

Sociological and Ethical Aspects of ScienceIs Science value-neutral?; Science in Ethics; Ethics in Science; Ethical standards pertaining to Science:; Misconduct in Science:; Why does misconduct in Science matter?; Societal support for modern Science; Motivation of Scientists; Scientists in Society; Science, Technology and Applied Science; Science impacts on Society; Society's impact on Science; Science and public policy - climate change [25]; Is global warming prediction true?; Science, Risk and Evidence [26]; Bibliography for Chapter 3:; Science and History; Mathematics

Civil and military engineeringCombined tradition; The heliocentric vs. geocentric model debate; Examples of Scientific Development: China, Europe; Scientific Revolution in W. Europe (16th-18th century); Astronomy and mechanics; Medicine & optics; Chemistry; Broader consequences of scientific revolution:; New relationship between Science and Technology; Societal support for Modern Science; The future of Science; Potential causes of scientific decline; Religious fundamentalism; Political fundamentalism; Economic fundamentalism; Limits of Science [13]; Human and social limits

Technological limits

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9786613234681

9781283234689

1283234688

9789814304757

9814304751

OCLC:

748215449