Alan Chalmers

A thoroughly useful and concise introduction to major issues in the philosophy of science. I appreciate how Chalmers organizes the topics by increasingly complex examination of the epistemological work of science. For example, he begins with some of the simplest building blocks of science, empirical observation and deductive logic and then shows how each of those epistemological activities are complicated by experience, by theory, by material circumstance of scientific work, by uncertainty, show more by logical fallibility and shows how the philosophy of science allows us to understand those issues and the trouble they create for science to pursue truth. Or is truth even what science is attempting to uncover now … or ever. Overall, this book was nicely done. It is introductory, but purposefully so. The author provides plenty of resources for readers wanting to pursue matters in greater depth. show less

My formal education ended before the heyday of Feyerabend, so I found this 3rd edition (1999) to be a useful way to survey recent developments in the philosophy of science. (Fully 40-50% of Chalmer's bibliography is now dated AFTER my degree.) Written in an accessible, conversational style, it provides a good overview of recent developments in the field.

Of course everyone should read at least one introduction to the philosophy of science, and this one is amongst te better. As of today it is 25 years old, so don't expect the latest developments.

Kompakte, übersichtliche Einführung in die Wissenschaftstheorie - und sogar recht unterhaltsam zu lesen! Vieles erinnert mich an mein Physik-Studium ...