The Advancement of Science: Science without Legend, Objectivity without Illusions [Paperback]

Philip Kitcher (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195096533 | ISBN-13: 978-0195096538 | Publication Date: April 20, 1995

During the last three decades, reflections on the growth of scientific knowledge have inspired historians, sociologists, and some philosophers to contend that scientific objectivity is a myth. In this book, Kitcher attempts to resurrect the notions of objectivity and progress in science by identifying both the limitations of idealized treatments of growth of knowledge and the overreactions to philosophical idealizations. Recognizing that science is done not by logically omniscient subjects working in isolation, but by people with a variety of personal and social interests, who cooperate and compete with one another, he argues that, nonetheless, we may conceive the growth of science as a process in which both our vision of nature and our ways of learning more about nature improve. Offering a detailed picture of the advancement of science, he sets a new agenda for the philosophy of science and for other "science studies" disciplines.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Philip Kitcher, in his excellent new book, provides something that has not been available before: a careful, detailed and systematic attempt to show that what's wrong with traditional accounts of science can be conceded...without thereby sacrificing at any rate the core claims of scientific rationalists....Few philosophers will fail to agree that this book constitutes a significant step forward in the discipline"--Times Higher Education Supplement

"[Kitcher] makes an important contribution that will enable philosophers once more to give credit to those parts of science where credit is due....A book that is destined to be discussed by all those interested in science for some years to come."--New York Times Book Review

"A must for philosophers, historians, and sociologists of sciences as well as for reflective scientists."--Choice

"This will be a book of major significance in philosophy of science. It develops an approach that incorporates historical, social, economic, and psychological aspects of science without giving up the kind of logical rigor that has always characterized Kitcher's work (as well as that of such philosophers as Hempel and Carnap). As I see it, this work should provide a substantial synthesis of the great traditions associated respectively with Kuhn and Hempel. Impressively innovative, it constitutes a large step forward in the discipline."--Wesley C. Salmon, University of Pittsburgh

"An essential text for anyone concerned with the fundamental issues it addresses....The book is full of insightful and important ideas and analysis, and is written with the clarity and force of argument that readers of Kitcher's earlier works will expect. There can be no doubt that it constitutes a significant contribution to fundamental issues in the philosophy of science."--The Philosophical Review

About the Author

Philip Kitcher is at University of California, San Diego.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (April 20, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195096533
• ISBN-13: 978-0195096538
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #913,923 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Philip Kitcher (New York, NY) is John Dewey Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University. He is the author of twelve books, including Living with Darwin: Evolution, Design, and the Future of Faith; In Mendel's Mirror: Philosophical Reflections on Biology; Science, Truth, and Democracy; and The Lives to Come: The Genetic Revolution and Human Possibilities. Professor Kitcher was the first recipient of the Prometheus Prize awarded by the American Philosophical Association for "lifetime contribution to expanding the frontiers of research in philosophy and science." He is also the winner of many other awards, most recently the Award for Distinguished Service to the Columbia Core Curriculum, the Lenfest Distinguished Faculty Award from Columbia University, the Lannan Foundation Notable Book Award (given for Living with Darwin), and the Friend of Darwin Award (given by the National Committee on Science Education).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and comprehensive., January 18, 2001

By 

Keith Douglas (Ottawa, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Advancement of Science: Science without Legend, Objectivity without Illusions (Paperback)

Kitcher's work is a masterpiece of using historical evidence to show the nature of scientific investigation. Science may be a fallible, human activity, but as Einstein put it, it is the most precious thing we have. Kitcher's book will show how and why, and elegantly refutes many arguments to the contrary, including most notably the strongest readings of Kuhn's famous _The Structure of Scientific Revolutions_. In particular, Kitcher's analysis of Lavoisier's experiments is outstanding. My only complaint is that the book does strike me as having a bit of retreading the same points several times.