The image of science

Author: B. C. van Fraassen (USA)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-02-01
Features: Preface Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 The Argument for Scientific Realism I. Scientific Realism and Constructive Empiricism 1. A Statement of Scientific Realism 2. Alternatives to Realism 3. Constructive Empiricism II. The "Theory/Observation" Distinction III. Best Explanation Reasoning IV. Limits on Explanatory Demands V. The Causal Principle VI. The Limits of Explanation: A Thought Experiment VII. The Devil and the Ultimate Argument Chapter 3 Saving the Phenomena I. Models II. Apparent Motion and Absolute Space III. The Empirical Content of Newtonian Theory IV. Theories and Their Extensions V. Extensions: Success and a Kind of Failure in a Certain Sense VI. The Failure of Syntactic Methods VII. The Hermeneutic Circle VIII. The Limits of Empirical Description IX. A New Picture of Theories Chapter 4 Empiricism and Scientific Methodology I. The Epistemology of Empiricism and Skepticism II. Methodology and Experimental Design 1. The Role of Theory 2. Measuring the Charge of the Electron 3. Boeyde's Philosophical Interpretation of Methodology 4. The Phenomenology of Scientific Activity III. Conjunctive Dissent IV. The Advantages of Pragmatism and Explanation 1. Other Advantages 2. The Intrusion of Pragmatics 3. The Search for Explanation Chapter 5 The Pragmatics of Explanation I. The Language of Explanation 1. Truth and Grammar 2. Several Examples II. The Biased History 1. Hempel: The Basis of Belief 2. Salmon: Statistical Relevance 3. The General Nature of Theories 4. Difficulties: Asymmetry and Opposing Views 5. Causality: Necessary Conditions 6. Causality: Salmon's Theory 7. Causal Indicators 8. The Question of "Why" 9. Elaborated Indicators III. The Asymmetry of Explanation: An Overview 1. Asymmetry and Context: Aristotle's Sieve 2. "The Tower and the Shadow" IV. Models of Explanation 1. Context and Propositions 2. The Problem 3. A Theory of the Question of "Why" 4. Evaluating the Answers 5. The Relevance of Presuppositions and Elaboration V. Conclusion Chapter 6 Probability: The New Model in Science I. Statistics in General Science II. Classical Statistical Mechanics 1. Measuring Ignorance 2. Defining Objective and Cognitive Probability 3. The Intervention of Infinity III. Probability in Quantum Mechanics 1. Incommensurability with Classical Cases 2. Conditional Quantum Probability 3. The Effective Set of Measurements IV. Moving Toward an Empiricist Explanation of Probability 1. Probability Space as an Experimental Model 2. Strict Frequency Interpretation 3. Propensities and Effective Sequences 4. Modal Frequency Interpretation 5. The Empirical Adequacy of Statistical Theories V. Modality: A Philosophical Bulwark 1. Empiricism and Modality 2. The Language of Science 3. Modality Without Metaphysics VII. A Gentle Debate