How We Know: An Exploration of the Scientific Process [Hardcover]

Martin Goldstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1978 | ISBN-10: 0306310694 | ISBN-13: 978-0306310690 | Edition: 1St Edition

The portraits of Freud, Shakespeare, Einstein, and Leonardo da Vinci on the cover symbolize a major theme of How We Know—that the creative imagination plays a role in the sciences no less than in the arts, and that scientific discoveries have an aesthetic beauty of their own that can be enjoyed by the nonscientist. Written to be understood by readers without proper scientific training, the main features of scientific method are illustrated by the use of case histories of research and discovery. The book also explores such questions as the nature of scientific understanding of the world, how theories are invented, how they are tested experimentally, and whether the scientist is ever "objective."The broad scientific experience of Martin and Inge Goldstein has made them aware not only of the distinctive features of diverse disciplines, but also of the common ground all fields of science share. This book was written in the belief that these common features of the scientific enterprise can be communicated to the nonscientist, and that it is important both for science and for society as a whole that this be done.How We Know offers help to those mystified and confused by the methods and aims of science. It firmly establishes science as a product of human beings acting in human ways, a process where the search for beauty can be as compelling as the search for truth.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 375 pages
• Publisher: Plenum Pub Corp; 1St Edition edition (February 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306310694
• ISBN-13: 978-0306310690
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,026,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent text for those who are, want to be, or want to understand, scientists, September 29, 2005

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Sinneed (Elvisland, TN, USA, MW, LG) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How We Know: An Exploration of the Scientific Process (Hardcover)

The introductory chapters are excellent essays on science...what it is, why we use it, how it came to be.

Then there are 3 outstanding case studies: Cholera, Heat, and Insanity. Each contains examples of good science, bad science, and things that are NOT science, but useful nevertheless.

Finally, there are closing chapters. While there are some gems there, some of these are the weakest part of this outstanding book.

In the 40ish years I have been reading about science and the societies that use it, this is one of the very best books that bear on it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How we know, exploration of the scientific method, February 6, 2003

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JLK - See all my reviews

This review is from: How We Know: An Exploration Of The Scientific Process (Paperback)

This book through historical cases demystifies the confused readers not trained in science. It shows the important part that intuition plays in the scientific paradigm, something the Belgian writer Georges Simenon also asserted a lot. It starts with what is Science then proceeds to facts and interesting historical cases like Vibrio cholera, heat, or the concept of madness (more related to social sciences than pure science). For hard science, you have to look at chapter 14 on logic and mathematics, chapter 15 on probability and the last chapter deals with statistics. All in all, it is an exhaustive book that could be useful reading in high schools.

5.0 out of 5 stars Helps you investigative and critical thinking skills, June 18, 2010

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Jack-E - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: How We Know: An Exploration Of The Scientific Process (Paperback)

This book opens your eyes to concept in science you may of never thought of in-depth before. It is a very easy read. It also shows how society effects the world of science.