An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science

This thoroughly updated second edition guides readers through the central concepts and debates in the philosophy of science.

Kent W. Staley (Author)

9781009098250, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 27 March 2025

412 pages
24.4 x 17 x 2.4 cm, 0.926 kg

'This is a fine introductory text. It incorporates recent advances in philosophical research on scientific methodology, and Staley's engaging and easy-to-read style makes it an excellent work for beginning philosophy of science students.' Joseph Pitt, Virginia College of Technology

This thoroughly updated second edition guides readers through the central concepts and debates in the philosophy of science. Using concrete examples from the history of science, Kent W. Staley addresses questions about what science is, why it is important, and the basis for trust in scientific results. The first part of the book introduces the central concepts of philosophy of science, with updated discussions of the problem of induction, underdetermination, rationality, scientific progress, and important movements such as falsificationism, logical empiricism, and postpositivism, together with a new chapter on social constructionism. The second part offers updated chapters on probability, scientific realism, explanation, and values in science, along with new discussions of the role of models in science, science in policy-making, and feminist philosophy of science. This broad yet detailed overview will give readers a strong grounding in philosophy of science whilst also providing opportunities for further exploration.

List of figures
List of tables
Preface: philosophy of science for philosophers, scientists, and everyone else
Acknowledgments
List of abbreviations
Part I. Background and Basic Concepts: 1. Some problems of induction
2. Falsificationism: science without induction?
3. Underdetermination
4. Logical empiricism
5. Post-positivist views on scientific progress and rationality
Interlude. Robert Boyle's experiments with the air-pump
6. Relativism and social constructionism
  Part II. Ongoing Investigations: 7. Scientific models and representation
8. Reasoning with probability: Bayesianism
9. Reasoning with probability: frequentism
10. Realism and anti-realism
11. Explanation
12. Values in science and science in policy-making
13. Feminist philosophies of science
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Philosophy of science [PDA]