by Pierre Duhem (1996)
Here, for the first time in English, are the philosophical essays - including the first statement of the "Duhem Thesis" - that formed the basis for Aim and Structure of Physical Theory, together with new translations of the historiographical essays presenting the equally celebrated "Continuity Thesis" by Pierre Duhem (1861-1916), a founding figure of the history and philosophy of science. Prefaced by an introduction on Duhem's intellectual development and continuing significance, here as well are important subsequent essays in which Duhem elaborated key concepts and critiqued such contemporaries as Henri Poincare and Ernst Mach. Together, these works offer a lively picture of the state of science at the turn of the century while addressing methodological issues that remain at the center of debate today.
Ronald N. Giere
Many people assume that the claims of scientists are objective truths. But historians, sociologists, and philosophers of science have long argued that scientific claims reflect the particular historical, cultural, and social context in which those claims were made. Ronald Giere investigates this field.
Jennifer Trusted
"The theme of this book, that inanimate matter is far more mysterious than common sense and even science allow, is justified through consideration of various Western philosophical and scientific theories. Jennifer Trusted suggests that there are three types of theory which have guided inquiry: corpuscular theories based on the view that matter is composed of small, material particles; non-material reality theories based on the view that the properties of matter are a consequence of immaterial forces which themselves constitute ultimate reality; and idealist theories which claim that sensible objects and materials are but mental constructs."--BOOK JACKET. "These three theories also influence theories as to the interaction of matter and mind and theories of conscious awareness, which are discussed in the final chapter."--BOOK JACKET.
John Heil
"Is the world hierarchically arranged, incorporating 'levels' of reality? What is the nature of objects and properties? What does 'realism' about ordinary objects or states of mind demand? When an assertion is true, what makes it true? Are natural properties best regarded as qualities or powers or some combination of these? What are colours? What explains the 'projective' character of intentionality? What is the nature of consciousness, and what relation do conscious experiences bear to material states and processes?" "From an Ontological Point of View endeavours to provide answers to such questions through an examination of ground-floor issues in ontology. The result is an account of the fundamental constituents of the world around us and an application of this account to problems dominating recent work in the philosophy of mind and metaphysics." "The book, written in an accessible, non-technical style, is intended for non-specialists as well as seasoned metaphysicians."--BOOK JACKET.
Sheldon M. Cohen
This book examines Aristotle's metaphysics and his account of nature, stressing the ways in which his desire to explain observed natural processes shaped his philosophical thought. It departs radically from a tradition of interpretation in which Aristotle is understood to have approached problems with a set of abstract principles in hand - principles derived from critical reflection on the views of his predecessors. A central example in the book interprets Aristotle's essentialism as deriving from an examination of the kinds of unity that various sorts of things have, and from his account of elemental motion, alteration, transformation, and the growth of organisms. An important conclusion of this argument is that a substance may, under certain circumstances, lack some of its essential attributes. The book goes on to develop a notion of incomplete substance and explores the connection between Aristotle's concept of nature and its role in scientific explanation. In this way Cohen breaks down the sharp division that many interpreters have chosen to see between Aristotle's natural science and his philosophy. This is a major reevaluation of Aristotle's metaphysics that will interest philosophers, classicists, and historians of classical science.