Reality and RationalityOxford University Press, 2005 M06 9 - 304 pages This volume of articles (most published, some new) is a follow-up to the late Wesley C. Salmon's widely read collection Causality And Explanation (OUP 1998). It contains both published and unpublished articles, and focuses on two related areas of inquiry: First, is science a rational enterprise? Secondly, does science yield objective information about our world, even the aspects that we cannot observe directly? Salmon's own take is that objective knowledge of the world is possible, and his work in these articles centers around proving that this can be so. Salmon's influential standing in the field ensures that this volume will be of interest to both undergraduates and professional philosophers, primarily in the philosophy of science. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
accepted actual answer appear approach argument atoms basis Bayes’s theorem Bayesian believe calculus called Carnap causal century chance chapter claim common cause complete concept concerned conjunction consequence consider considerations contains context course deal deductive degree of confirmation discussion distinction empiricism evidence example existence experience Explanation fact frequencies given Hempel historical hypothesis important independence inductive logic inference initial interpretation involved kind knowledge likelihood matter means molecules nature objective observed occur offered partial entailment particular Philo philosophical Philosophy of Science physical plausibility positive possible prediction present Press principle prior probabilities probabilistic problem produced propensity quantum mechanics question rationality realism reason reference regarding Reichenbach relation relative relevance result Salmon scientific scientists seems sense simple situation sort statements subjective suggest Suppose theory truth University