Against Method Fourth Edition Edition

by Paul Feyerabend (Author), Ian Hacking (Introduction)

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ISBN-13: 978-1844674428

ISBN-10: 1844674428

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Paul Feyerabend’s globally acclaimed work, which sparked and continues to stimulate fierce debate, examines the deficiencies of many widespread ideas about scientific progress and the nature of knowledge. Feyerabend argues that scientific advances can only be understood in a historical context. He looks at the way the philosophy of science has consistently overemphasized practice over method, and considers the possibility that anarchism could replace rationalism in the theory of knowledge.

This updated edition of the classic text includes a new introduction by Ian Hacking, one of the most important contemporary philosophers of science. Hacking reflects on both Feyerabend’s life and personality as well as the broader significance of the book for current discussions.

Against Method

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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A devastating attack on the claims of philosophy to legislate for scientific practice.”—New Society

“A brilliant polemic.”—New Scientist

“Since it was first published in 1975, Against Method has followed Popper’s The Logic of Scientific Discovery and Kuhn’s The Structure of Scientific Revolutions into becoming a classic text in the debate about scientific methodology and scientific reasoning.”—The Philosopher

“A powerful critique.”—London Review of Books

“Against Method is more than a book: it is an event.”—Archives de Philosophie

About the Author

Paul Feyerabend was Professor of Philosophy at UC Berkeley, and Professor of the Philosophy of Science at the Federal Institute of Technology at Zurich. He died in 1994. His books include Philosophical Papers, Farewell to Reason, and Against Method.

Ian Hacking is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Toronto. He is the author of Historical Ontology, Scientific Revolutions, and The Emergence of Probability.

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Product details

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Verso; Fourth Edition edition (May 11, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1844674428
ISBN-13: 978-1844674428
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,236 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #16 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Ideologies & Doctrines > Anarchism
- #45 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Philosophy > Criticism
- #72 in Books > Textbooks > Social Sciences > Political Science > Political Ideologies

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Top Customer Reviews

Bravo for Feyerabend

ByRichard H. Pierceon March 1, 2016

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A great book - probably more timely and necessary and insightful in 2016 than when written. Feyerabend was and is obviously a "feather-rustler" of the scientific establishment - for which I am grateful to him. I have spent a lot of years being suspicious of the pious, arrogant, self-serving, omnipotent attitude of some/much of science and scientists. I have become painfully aware of how many grand proclamations and expectationshave been foiled onto humanity, especially the under-privileged, under-developed, and unwitting - only to have history show them way short of the mark and actually doing great harm to lesser populations and our Planet.

For the 1st time for me, Feyerabend lays bare the follies of the scientific method, the damage it does, and the new, creative ideas it attempts to squash in the name of method - really, though, in the name of power, control, and arrogant hierarchies. I've felt that most new, good, ground-breaking science has come in spite of the method - from outliers, amateurs, radicals and radical approaches. He is right on - very focusing for me. And, with science in need of a new view of science, of people, of the planet, and a new approach - his is a refreshing and necessary effort if we are to move ahead into the real world of diversity, equality, and quality, esp. with Natuarla Systems, complex situations, and chaos - which is where the big problems facing us lie.

Bravo for brave new ideas against an establishment long over-due for a "reset" and which would allow brave new proposals leading to world-changing and world-view changing results.

Bravo

Dick Pierce

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Lot of small faults but an absolutely essential book to read for scientists and philosopers and anyone.

Byabearfellowon March 5, 2017

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this is a difficult book but it is probably up there as one of the most important books to read. somewhat scientific but
mostly a smack in the face to rigid thinking in all areas of human endeavor. politics (a good, simpler, path to dialectics
than working through hegel). in science, a good addition to Smolin's encouragement of outsider thinking.
a little meandering, a little arrogant, a little tilting against windmills but overall a really really important book to read.

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Case Well Made

ByElvinon January 19, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This book does precisely what it says it will do - challenge the scientific method's claim as The Epistemology. The body of the work is a detailed historical case study which he uses to make a historicist argument against the current scientific method, and the argument is both interesting to follow and rigorous. The Appendices are more impressive in my opinion, although noticeably more difficult. In there Feyerabend creates a larger system of argument and attempts to attack the scientific method not only empirically, but also theoretically. The last chapter is of course a completely different species, and in my opinion fundamentally elevates the work. Read it for yourself to find out.

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Very impressive work!

ByAerison January 5, 2010

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When I first started getting into the philosophy of science I had several of feyerabends thoughts and objections in mind, but this was before I had read him so I didnt exactly have a steady foundation for myself when it came to sourcing academics (which, for one reason or another, is a keystone of argumentation these days). After reading this book I was astonished that there was someone in the field of academia who had the same ideas as me, and elaborated on them ten fold! When I picked this up I didnt put it down till I was finished, and after that I was so sold to the idea of epistemological anarchism I went out of my way to make all sorts of additions to the internet that included his work, and even lended this book to one of my old science teachers (who, from what I've heard, loves it just as much as me). If I ever ran a science or a philosophy class this would be on the reading list every year. The only thing that gets me is why this isnt more widely read already. I highly recommend this to everyone, whether they're new to or already into scientific philosophy, or even philosophy in general. This is one of my favorite books i've read, definitely a must read.

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Very satisfying. Necessary. But how does a dead man keep updating a book?

ByP. J. Rowanon August 26, 2010

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Feyerabend is pretty good at updating books from beyond the mortal veil. Nonetheless, I am reading an older copy. It is really awesome. I agree with most other reviews. I do agree that it stronger in urging "scientists" to be less rigid with method, and that the polemic has less focus on declaring how an anarchistic science should be favored over other strategies for gaining knowledge, such as superstition, rumor, tradition, new age insights, and so on.

Myself, this is helpful as I see medical / biological / health care research desperately grabbing for methodological security from the "gold standard" of the RCT, the peer-reviewed journal, the imprimatur of the "expert as in climate science lately, and so on, while ignoring and even detracting from more fruitful pursuits. Lately, commentors have gently noted this, and have gently urged more exploration of "pragmatic trials," subset analysis, post-hoc exploartional analysis, and so on. But it is vauable to have the Feyerabend viewpoint put forth strongly.

Normally, I dislike reading various "critical," or "structural," or marxist evaluations of various topics, but it works here - back on Hegel's home turf of epistemology.

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Feyerabend is at the top of his game. This ...

ByAdrian Auleron September 5, 2015

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Feyerabend is at the top of his game. This is a classic he produced decades ago--great at the time--which he has now brought up to current speed. Clear, incisive, powerful.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

Terribly bad book by the father of epistemic relativism

Terribly bad book by the father of epistemic relativism, with touches here and there of cultural relativism.Read more

Published 23 days ago by C. Valente

Five Stars

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Published on December 29, 2014 by Steven H Propp

excellent book, easy to read

excellent book, easy to read. His theme is right on point. great book for the novice or at any level. Love how he italicizes the main principles in each chapter ... I recommend it.Read more

Published on September 9, 2014 by Jake Beniflah

BRILLIANTLY POLEMICAL FEYERABEND!!

'Against Method' sparked and continues to stimulate ferocious debate . Paul Feyerabend argues that scientific advances can only be understood in historical perspective.Read more

Published on June 15, 2014 by Ijaz Durrani

Brilliant Book

Recieved item within 6 days, which was beyond expectations.

The book per se is a historical statement, challenging the hegemony of western science Read more

Published on December 9, 2012 by naleendra weerapitiya

One side of an Important philosophical discussion

This book is one side of a two-sided debate begun (but not finished because Lakatos' death intervened) between Paul Feyerabend and Imre Lakatos, on the meaning, understanding and...Read more

Published on November 7, 2010 by Herbert L Calhoun

Whether or not you agree with Feyerabend's fundamental premise, this book should be compulsory reading for all scientists.Read more

Published on September 27, 2010 by Rick Ballan

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