Originally published in 1843, this reprint captures the essence of its time, offering readers a glimpse into the historical context and themes prevalent in the era. The book explores significant ideas and narratives that have shaped literature and culture, making it a valuable addition for those interested in classic works and their impact on modern storytelling.
The book delves into the philosophical debate between Platonism and Naturalism, particularly in the context of mathematics. It critically examines the perspectives of notable philosophers like Quine and Maddy, arguing that a Platonist approach is essential for understanding concept acquisition in scientific contexts. Additionally, it presents a unique view of applied mathematics that bolsters the Platonist stance against Naturalist alternatives. This comprehensive exploration not only highlights the mathematical discourse but also illuminates broader philosophical implications of the debate.
Thought experiments like Newton's bucket, Einstein's elevator, and Schrödinger's cat challenge our understanding of the natural sciences. The book explores the purpose and validity of these mental exercises, questioning whether they qualify as true experiments. It delves into how such imaginative scenarios can deepen our comprehension of complex concepts, illustrating the power of thought in scientific discovery and the ways in which abstract reasoning can lead to new insights about the universe.
A Contemporary Introduction to the World of Proofs and Pictures
This edition explores significant and timeless questions in mathematical philosophy, examining the role of visual representations in proving concepts, the certainty of mathematical results, and the value of experiments in the field. James Robert Brown delves into these critical issues, offering fresh insights and perspectives that challenge traditional views within the mathematical sciences.
Realism is an enlightening story, a tale which enriches our experience and makes it more intelligible. Yet this wonderful picture of humanity's best efforts at knowledge has been badly bruised by numerous critics. James Robert Brown in Smoke and Mirrors fights back against figures such as Richard Rorty, Bruno Latour, Michael Ruse and Hilary Putnam who have attacked realist accounts of science. But this volume is not wholly devoted to combating Rorty and others who blow smoke in our eyes; the second half is concerned with arguing that there are some amazing ways in which science mirrors the world. The role of abstraction, abstract objects and a priori ways of getting at reality are all explored in showing how science reflects reality. Smoke and Mirrors is a defence of science and knowledge in general as well as a defence of a particular way of understanding science. It is of interest to all those who wish or need to know how science works.
"What if something as seemingly academic as the so-called science wars were to determine how we live?"
This work critically examines the approach to science of Bloor, Barnes and other "strong program" sociologists who advocate a "science of science" or "finitism." It takes a similarly critical look at anthropologists in the lab such as Collins, Latour, and Woolgar. Indeed, The Rational and the Social tries to determine the ways in which social forces and rational theory choice interact with one another; it then offers a strategy for dealing with the social, resulting in the improvement of science.
