Introduction to the Philosophy of Science: Cutting Nature at Its Seams [Paperback]

Robert Klee (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195106113 | ISBN-13: 978-0195106114 | Publication Date: December 12, 1996 | Edition: 1

Introduction to the Philosophy of Science: Cutting Nature at Its Seams is a clear and lively explanation of key concepts and issues in the philosophy of science. It surveys the field from positivism to social constructivism, focusing on the metaphysical implications of science as a form of knowledge gathering that explains what the world is really like, while simultaneously arguing for the superiority of a holistic model of scientific theories over competing models. An innovative feature is the use of immunology as the central domain of illustration, in contrast to other philosophy of science texts that draw examples predominantly from physics. The text also presents Thomas Kuhn's model of science clearly and accurately, rectifying the notorious and widespread misinterpretations projected upon it in the past. Klee discusses both traditional models of science and alternative interpretations, most notably nonfeminist and feminist models inspired by the work of Kuhn. Richly illustrated and complete with a glossary of over eighty key terms, this book serves as an ideal text for undergraduates, because it presents a highly accessible and contemporary investigation of science as a form of inquiry capable of revealing to us the structure of the world.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book and Scientific Inquiry: Readings in the Philosophy of Science (edited by Robert Klee, OUP, 1998) provide an excellent introduction to the complex issues in philosophy of science. They are responsible to the challenging questions in the field and user-friendly at the same time. I couldn't teach the course without them."--Richard Rice, Loma Linda University

"An absolutely excellent text; clear, insightful, thorough. Klee has performed a real service to the field."--J. Ismael, University of Arizona

"This book contains good, interesting material in the philosophy of science and would be quite useful for such a course."--Stephen Joseph, Framingham State College

"Intelligent, lucid, and charmingly written....All ten chapters are written with a clarity and simplicity that make the book a pleasure to read and will make it a good text for an introductory course in the philosophy of science. I recommend this book most highly."--Max Hocutt, Behavior and Philosophy

"...an entirely refreshing study both for its biological emphasis (the immune system) and its sophisticated treatment of contemporary issues and positions in the philosophy of science....unusually well written."--Pete A. Y. Gunter, University of North Texas

"Excellent introduction to the issues and figures surrounding the debate over scientific realism."--Craig Payne, Indian Hills Community College

"Well written, comprehensive, and interesting."--Hugh Curtler, Southwest State University, MN

"An excellent and comprehensive examination of recent developments in the philosophy of science."--James Maffie, Colorado State University

About the Author

Robert Klee is at Ithaca College.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1 edition (December 12, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195106113
• ISBN-13: 978-0195106114
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #591,397 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent and objective overview, February 3, 1999

By A Customer

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This review is from: Introduction to the Philosophy of Science: Cutting Nature at Its Seams (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to get up to speed on what has happened in the philosophy of science during the past three centuries. The author speaks in his own voice, which keeps the book interesting and engaging from start to finish. This is not a dry textbook. At the same time, the author clearly identifies where his own sympathies lie, and is very objective in his treatment of opposing views.

A couple of areas for improvement: The author mentions Kant's idea of noumena and phenomena on a few occasions in the book, but does not really discuss the Kantian idea of the "external world" any further. I wish he did. Also, the author seems to imply that we shouldn't be too hasty to let our philosophies be influenced by the results we find in quantum physics (presumably because they tend to be so bizarre and atypical). I would have liked the author to elaborate a bit more on this view. I think many people interested in the philosophy of science would argue the opposite: A good philosophy of science must necessarily accommodate the most perplexing and paradoxical scientific findings.

In summary, the book is definitely worthwhile, and I hope many scientists and non-scientists read it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exceedingly useful book that frames the issues well., November 1, 1998

By 

Dr. D. E. McClean (Dix Hills, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introduction to the Philosophy of Science: Cutting Nature at Its Seams (Paperback)

For newcomers and old hands engaged in the philosophy of science, Klee's book serves to frame the subject in a clear and coherent way. Klee uses immunology as his jumping-off point, rather than physics, in order to frame the general areas of inquiry and disputes within the subject. This works quite well, even for those uninitiated in any serious way into esoteric immunological studies and its attendant lexicon. Klee touches on all the basics and revists elementary concepts in logic and philosophy that will be useful for the non-philosopher and general reader. There is a lucid discussion of the debates and disputes within the subject, such as between Kuhn and Popper, and Klee pays ample attention to other of the major figures, particularly those weighing in the realism/antirealism debate. Further,Introduction to Philosophy of Science will serve as one of those rare texts that can be called upon to fill-in knowledge gaps and memory lapses in other areas in philosophy, generally. While the subject matter can be arid and difficult to wade through, Klee's book is brilliantly written and fun to read. He makes no bones about his own realism, but he is reasonably fair to anti-realist critics. Yet at times his loss of patience with those who take an anti-realist position bleeds through his prose, often in quite humorous ways. This books will be read and re-read by serious students of the subject and may become a standard text in the philosophy of science, used in undergraduate and graduate pedagogy. As well it should be.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A clear introduction to the Philosophy of Science, December 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Introduction to the Philosophy of Science: Cutting Nature at Its Seams (Paperback)

Robert Klee's introductory text to the Philosophy of Science is a concise and well-written introduction to the Philosophy of Science. It gives a great framework (and suggested further readings) for the person interested in this topic. The contributions of Hempel, Popper, Quine, Kuhn, et al are presented in a thought provoking manner.

If you enjoy philosophy and have not ventured into the philosophy of science, this is a great place to begin.