Philosophy of Science: Understanding Scientific Reasoning, Theories, and Knowledge

Science is perhaps the sole distinctively western institution adopted by all cultures that have come in contact with it. The scope, nature and methods have been contested throughout its history. Philosophy of Science identifies the profound philosophical problems that science raises through an examination of enduring questions about its nature, methods, and justification. Without scientific theory, these developments would not have been possible.  This book provides a concise overview of the main themes of contemporary philosophy of science and mathematics. Beginning with a short history of science to set the scene and to investigate the nature of scientific reasoning, scientific explanation, revolutions in science, mathematical equations and theories such as realism and antirealism. The philosophical issues in particular sciences, including the problem of classification in biology, and the nature of space and time in physics.