Science, truth, and democracy / Philip Kitcher.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kitcher, Philip, 1947-

Series:

Oxford studies in philosophy of science.

Oxford studies in philosophy of science

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Science--Social aspects.

Science.

Science--Philosophy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (234 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 2001.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

"Closely examining some of our most deeply held notions about the role of science, distinguished philosopher Philip Kitcher engages the heated debate about how scientific knowledge should be pursued and employed. There currently exists a sharp divide between the purists who believe that the pursuit of scientific knowledge is always valuable and necessary and those who believe that it invariably serves the interests of the powerful. Kitcher rejects both perspectives, painting a pragmatic portrait of the sciences that allows for the possibility of scientific truth but nonetheless permits social consensus to determine which avenues to investigate."--Jacket.

Contents:

Unacceptable images

The world as we find it

The ideal of objectivity

The world as we make it

Mapping reality

Scientific significance

The myth of purity

Constraints on free inquiry

Organizing inquiry

Well-ordered science

Elitism, democracy, and science policy

Subversive truth and ideals of progress

The Luddites' laments

Research in an imperfect world.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Description based on metadata supplied by the publisher and other sources.

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

1-282-23516-8

0-19-803335-4

1-60256-714-X

OCLC:

728833443