Creatively Undecided

Toward a History and Philosophy of Scientific Agency

By: Menachem Fisch

Write A Review

Paperback | 27 November 2017 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

Paperback
304 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
2.29 x 1.58 x 0.16

Paperback

RRP $65.95

$53.75

18%OFF

or 4 interest-free payments of $13.44 with

or

Ships in 5 to 7 business days

Thomas Kuhn and Karl Popper are believed by many who study science to be the two key thinkers of the twentieth century. Each addressed the question of how scientific theories change, but they came to different conclusions. By turning our attention to ambiguity and indecision in science, Menachem Fisch, in Creatively Undecided, offers a new way to look at how scientific understandings change. Following Kuhn, Fisch argues that scientific practice depends on the framework in which it is conducted, but he also shows that those frameworks can be understood as the possible outcomes of the rational deliberation that Popper viewed as central to theory change. How can a scientist subject her standards to rational appraisal if that very act requires the use of those standards? The way out, Fisch argues, is by looking at the incentives scientists have to create alternative frameworks in the first place. Fisch argues that while science can only be transformed from within, by people who have standing in the field, criticism from the outside is essential. We may not be able to be sufficiently self-critical on our own, but trusted criticism from outside, even if resisted, can begin to change our perspective'at which point transformative self-criticism becomes a real option.

Industry Reviews

"Creatively Undecided, as all great philosophical works, is both theoretically impeccable and meaningful for critically facing present-day ethical and political dilemmas. Fisch answers apparently abstract and cold questions pertaining to the philosophy of science and the history of mathematics, but-as a matter of fact-has something crucially important to say about one of the most pressing issues in our globalized and politically-torn world: how to self-criticize 'from within' our normative frameworks when challenged by competing cultures who confront us 'from without.' Fisch ends the book by testing his philosophical theses concerning agency and rational deliberation with a historical case: a masterful narrative of the contested reception of George Peacock's "symbolical algebra" in early ninteeth century England."--Niccolo Guicciardini, University of Bergamo
"According to Fisch's argument in this book, scientists are critical and as such require a detached attitude towards their intellectual productions; however, scientists are also attached to their intellectual productions as integral to their self-identity, and hence suspend criticism for commitment. Fisch's own approach to the historiography and philosophy of science is binocular - seeing the world of science through both poles of the detached-attached spectrum; or bi-cognitive - interpreting the world of science with the two dimensions of detached/attached axes for Fisch's intellectual coordinate system for the intellectual biographies of scientists in their specific scientific communities."-- "Transversal: International Journal for the Historiography of Science"
"Creatively Undecided is an innovative work that can breathe new life into the literature concerned with the nature of scientific change."-- "Metascience"

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.