Philosophy of Science: A Contemporary Introduction (Routledge Contemporary Introductions to Philosophy)

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Any serious student attempting to better understand the nature, methods and justification of science will value Alex Rosenberg � s updated and substantially revised Third Edition of Philosophy of Science: A Contemporary Introduction. Weaving together lucid explanations and clear analyses, the volume is a much-used, thematically oriented introduction to the field.

New features of the Third Edition include more coverage of the history of the philosophy of science, more fully developed material on the metaphysics of causal and physical necessity, more background on the contrast between empiricism and rationalism in science, and new material on the structure of theoretical science (with expanded coverage of Newtonian and Darwinian theories and models) and the realism/antirealism controversy. Rosenberg also divides the Third Edition into fifteen chapters, aligning each chapter with a week in a standard semester-long course. Updated Discussion Questions, Glossary, Bibliography and Suggested Readings lists at the end of each chapter will make the Third Edition indispensable, either as a comprehensive stand-alone text or alongside the many wide-ranging collections of articles and book excerpts currently available.

Read our interview with Alex Rosenberg, What exactly is philosophy of science � and why does it matter? here: www.routledge.com/u/alexrosenberg

Philosophy of Science: A Contemporary Introduction (Routledge Contemporary Introductions to Philosophy) Review

One expects a philosophy textbook to begin with a definition. A "Philosophy of . . . " textbook would ordinarily begin with a definition of whatever fits in the ellipsis. We would expect a Philosophy of Science to begin with some definition of Science or at least with some discussion of the problems associated with defining Science.

Rosenberg substitutes a definition of Philosophy for a definition of Science. Apparently he assumes we already know what to include in the concept Science, even though he is well aware that Science has a "demarcation problem" affecting the choice of what to include in Science. A defintion of Science is not forthcoming in this textbook, except in the form of topics discussed during the course of the book.

In his definition of Philosophy, Rosenberg favors Science over Philosophy, saying that Philosophy is about whatever questions are left unanswered by Science. We still do not know what he consideres Science to be. A few hints are given on p. 35 when he lists what is involved with Science as a product or result and then lists considerations that appear to drive the discussions that scientists have. The tendentiousness is present in the entire volume. It affects, for example, his discussion of whether the methods of the Social Sciences should be different from from the methods of the Natural Sciences.

As Rosenberg goes through the topics he covers, he relies on the tradition of what topics (and problems associated with them) one usually finds in the literature about Philosophy of Science. This means covering foremostly logical empiricism, its demise, and the reactions to it. He does this topically, not historically. It is a relatively conservative approach.

Having said this, I consider this an excellent textbook, especially for those not already steeped in Philosophy. The topics covered are necessary for understanding the subject. The discussions are clear and relevant. The debates are presented fairly, for the most part. There is a helpful Case Study, for example, using Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection to demonstrate the relationship of Theory to Model. The study questions are excellent, the suggested readings are adequate, and the glossary is extremely helpful.

I highly recommend this textbook.

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