Uncertain Knowledge
An Image of Science for a Changing World

This book explores the image of science in the modern world.

R. G. A. Dolby (Author)

9780521892629, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 18 April 2002

380 pages, 4 b/w illus. 1 table
24 x 18.4 x 2.1 cm, 0.85 kg

'What distinguishes this book is the richness of its multilevel description of science and the erudition with which Dolby illustrates the account given with a broad range of historical examples of science and pseudoscience … the author's account of the changing aspect of science and its entanglement with broad socio-historical developments is highly illuminating. This makes the book a very worthwhile read.' Finn Collin, Centaurus

What is science? How is scientific knowledge affected by the society that produces it? Does scientific knowledge directly correspond to reality? Can we draw a line between science and pseudo-science? Will it ever be possible for computers to undertake scientific investigation independently? Is there such a thing as feminist science? In this book the author addresses questions such as these using a technique of 'cognitive play', which creates and explores new links between the ideas and results of contemporary history, philosophy, and sociology of science. New ideas and approaches are applied to a wide range of case studies, many of them from controversial and contested science. This book will be of interest to historians and sociologists of science, to anyone interested in science studies, and to educated general readers with an interest in the history, philosophy, and social context of science.

Preface
1. Introduction
Part I. The Nature of Science: 2. Levels of cognitive activity
3. Facts in frameworks
4. Rationality, irrationality and relativism
5. Knowledge and reality
6. A new account of the scientific process
Part II. Does Science Have Distinctive Qualities?: 7. What, if anything, is distinctive about science?
8. How is good science distinguished from bad science?
9. A theory of the pathologies of science
Part III. Changing Science in a Changing World?: 10. What are acceptable variations of present science?
11. And in the long term?
Appendix
References.

Subject Areas: History of science [PDX]