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Evidence and Method

Scientific Strategies of Isaac Newton and James Clerk Maxwell

By: Peter Achinstein

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Hardcover | 1 April 2013

At a Glance

Hardcover
192 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
21.59 x 13.97 x 1.42

Hardcover

$85.99

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What is meant by scientific evidence, and how can a definition of this concept be applied in the sciences to determine whether observed facts constitute evidence that a given theory is true?

In this book, Peter Achinstein proposes and defends several objective concepts of evidence. He then explores the question of whether a scientific method, such as that represented in the four "Rules for the Study of Natural Philosophy" that Isaac Newton invoked in proving his law of gravity, can be employed in demonstrating how the proposed definitions of evidence are to be applied to real scientific cases. In answering this question, he offers a new interpretation of Newton's controversial rules. Contrary to what many methodologists assume, whether the rules, so interpreted, can be used to determine whether observed phenomena provide evidence for a theory is an empirical question, not an a priori one. Finally, in order to deal with numerous cases in which evidence is insufficient to establish a theory, or where no theory is even available, Achinstein describes and defends three scientific methods proposed by the 19th century theoretical physicist James Clerk Maxwell, in the course of
developing his electrical and molecular theories.

Industry Reviews

[T]he renowned philosopher of science Peter Achinstein focuses on the question whether observed phenomena constitute evidence that a theory is true. ...The book is clearly written, aims at a general audience and provides valuable insights into the works of these two icons of modern science. Thus, it is warmly recommended for the readers of Science & Education. * Science & Education *
a significant contribution to what philosophers of science can learn from the methodologies of Newton and Maxwell. * William L. Harper, Metascience *

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