Reading the Book of Nature: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science

by Peter Kosso

Book Overview

This is an introductory survey to the philosophy of science suitable for beginners and nonspecialists. Its point of departure is the question: why should we believe what science tells us about the world? In this attempt to justify the claims of science the book treats such topics as observation data, confirmation of theories, and the explanation of phenomena. The writing is clear and concrete with detailed examples drawn from contemporary science:...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521426820
• ISBN13: 9780521426824
• Release Date: July 1992
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 212 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

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This book was not only informative but a pleasurable read. There is a lot of information presented but it is done in a clear way that is easy to follow. There were some questions that I had and some concepts that I didn't fully understand but by the end my questions were answered and I had a good understanding of the material. There are a lot of very good examples, both that have to do with science and also ordinary every day events, that correlate nicely to the points Kosso is trying to make. There were witty or sarcastic or just plain funny comments made in this book that made me laugh, and that makes the book five stars in my opinion. If you are able to entertain me while presenting a lot of concrete knowledge on a topic then that's definitely a plus in my book (no pun intended!). The metaphor Kosso uses as describing nature as a book is entirely appropriate (if you interpret it correctly) and provides a good back bone to the topics. There is a glossary and a list of suggested readings at the end of the book which was a nice touch. Overall, great book!

Great book.

I've read about four introductions to the Philosopy of Science and this one is by far the best. (I was a philosophy student many years ago, but am new to the philosophy of science.) The writing style is succinct, lucid, and easy to read . Kosso manages to introduce the subject clearly, without dumbing it down. I very much appreciated his approach focusing on the real philsophic issues of science and not on the typical self-referential philsophical blather about realism, pragmatism, postivism, and relativism which usually seems like just so much talk about how many angels fit on a pin head. I find the title a little bit dumb (it is from a metaphor Kosso uses in the book). I would not have bought had not I read a postive reference to it. Great book.