The Scenes of Inquiry: On the Reality of Questions in the Sciences - Couverture rigide

Jardine, Nicholas

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0198239351 ISBN 13 : 9780198239352

Editeur : Clarendon Press, 1991

Synopsis

The Scenes of Inquiry advocates a radical shift of concern - from answers and doctrines to questions and problems - in philosophical, historical, and sociological studies of the sciences, and explores the consequences of such a shift. The historically-orientated first part of the work deals with the ways in which ranges of questions become real and cease to be real for communities of inquirers. It offers a series of hypotheses, illustrated by case studies, concerning the methodological, historical, and social factors responsible for such shifts of 'scenes of inquiry' in the sciences. The more philosophically-orientated second part of the work addresses doubts about the claims of the sciences to have accumulated absolutely real questions. It is argued that recent studies in the sociology and social history of the sciences pose strong challenges to the sciences by revealing how appeals to authority, vested interests, and rhetorical and aesthetic sensibilities play substantial roles in the practices of the sciences. The final chapter defends the pragmatic stance of the work, and of its companion, The Fortunes of Inquiry (OUP, 1986), and draws morals about the roles of criticism and reflection in the philosophy of science and in the sciences themselves.

A propos du livre

Présentation de l'éditeur

The Scenes of Inquiry advocates a radical shift of concern in philosophical, historical, and sociological studies of the sciences, from answers and doctrines to questions and problems, and explores the consequences of such a shift. In his Conclusion Nicholas Jardine writes: 'The time has come for scientists to break with science. What started life as a creative programme, liberating inquirers from limited scenes of inquiry, has become itself a limitation on scenes of inquiry. Freed of the mythology of science, scientists might become more perceptive of their varied practices and of the workings of their own social and political institutions. They might recover their lost literary and aesthetic consciousness. They might re-engage in historical reflection. Then we should surely see a wonderful proliferation and enrichment of the sciences and of the lived experience of all who partake in them.' Professor Jardine has expanded the book considerably for this paperback edition, adding a substantial preface, an extensive bibliography, and three new essays which develop its themes and pursue its aims further. These renew the book's interest and value for anyone interested in the workings of science and its role in our world.

Revue de presse

Offers many refreshing and sensible insights to current debates about truth, scientific realism, and particularly the historical evaluation of scientific progress. (Philosophical Review)

Détails de l'édition

• Éditeur: Clarendon Press
• Date d'édition: 1991
• Langue: anglais
• ISBN 10: 0198239351
• ISBN 13: 9780198239352
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 256
• Coordonnées du fabricant: non disponible
• Personne responsable: Ufficio Anagrafiche Messaggerie; ufficio.anagrafiche@meli.it; ; Via Verdi, 8; Assago Milano; 20090; Italie