Philosophy of Science

<p>The book is a translation of the second edition of a much-used and research-based Chinese textbook. As a succinct and issue-based introduction to the Western philosophy of science the book brings eight focal issues in the field to the fore and augments each topic by incorporating Chinese perspectives.</p><p>Followed by an overview of the historical framework and logical underpinnings of the philosophy of science the book thoroughly discusses eight issues in the discipline: (1) the criteria of cognitive meaning (2) induction and confirmation (3) scientific explanation (4) theories of scientific growth (5) the demarcation between science and pseudoscience (6) scientific realism and empiricism; (7) the philosophy of scientific experimentation (8) science and value. Not confined to Western mainstream discourse in this field the book also introduces voices of Chinese philosophers of note and adopts a stance that productively combines logical empiricism and Kuhnianism both of which tend to be covered in less detail by many English language textbooks. In the final chapter the author offers a prognosis regarding the future of the discipline based on recent trends.<br>This book will be of value to students who study philosophy of science and hope to gain a better understanding of science and technology.</p>