A Theory of Wonder.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Munévar, Gonzalo.

Series:

Series in Philosophy of Science

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Science--Philosophy.

Science.

Science--History.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (206 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Other Title:

A Theory of Wonder

Place of Publication:

Wilmington, DE : Vernon Press, 2021.

Summary:

'A Theory of Wonder' aims to determine the best way science can satisfy our sense of wonder by exploring the world. Empiricism tells us that science succeeds because it follows the scientific method: Observation passes judgment on Theory - supporting or rejecting it.Much credit is given to the inventor of the method, Galileo, but when historically-minded philosophers of science like Kuhn and Feyerabend called our attention to what Galileo actually wrote and did, we were shocked to find out that Galileo instead drives a dagger through the heart of empiricism; he strikes down the distinction between theory and observation. Plain facts, like the vertical fall of a stone, ruled out the motion of the Earth. To conclude that the stone really falls vertically, however, we must assume that the Earth does not move. If it does move, then the stone only "seems" to fall vertically. Galileo then replaced the "facts" against the motion of the Earth with "facts" that included such motion. This process is typical during scientific revolutions.A good strategy for science is to elaborate radical alternatives; then, and on their basis, reconsider what counts as evidence. Feyerabend was called irrational for this suggestion; but looking at the practice of science from the perspective of evolution and neuroscience shows that the suggestion is very reasonable instead, and, moreover, explains why science works best as a radical form of knowledge. It also leads to a sensible biological form of relative truth, with preliminary drafts leading to exciting discussions with other researchers in the philosophy of science.This book will be of particular interest to university students, instructors and researchers in history or philosophy of science, as well as those with a general interest in the nature of science.

Contents:

List of figures

Acknowledgements

Preface

Foreward by David Lamb

Introduction

The trials and tribulations of induction

The perils of disproving theories

Science as a daring enterprise: Choosing by convention

Dogmatism in science: Kuhn and scientific revolutions

Feyerabend and scientific anarchy

One last plea for "rationality": Rationality and the growth of science

Evolution and science

Evolutionary relativism

Alternative ways of perceiving the universe

Appendix: The fate of inductive logic

Index.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

ISBN:

9781648892820

1648892825

OCLC:

1256238444