Idealization and the Aims of Science

Name: Idealization and the Aims of Science
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SKU: 9780226759449
Price: 73.99 NZD
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By Angela Potochnik

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Summary

Idealization and the Aims of Science by Angela Potochnik explores how scientific practices, particularly the use of idealizations, contribute to the understanding and advancement of science. Potochnik examines how these simplified models help scientists achieve a deeper understanding of the complex world, addressing the interplay between scientific representation, utility, and truth. The book provides philosophical insights into how idealizations affect scientific progress and the overall objectives of scientific inquiry.
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Format: Paperback / softback

$73⁹⁹

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Idealization and the Aims of Science

$73⁹⁹

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're interested in exploring how scientific models often simplify the complexities of reality to better understand the world. It delves into the philosophical and psychological aspects of idealization, offering insights into how science aims to balance accuracy with comprehensibility.

Idealization and the Aims of Science

Description

Science is the study of our world, as it is in its messy reality. Nonetheless, science requires idealization to function—if we are to attempt to understand the world, we have to find ways to reduce its complexity.

Idealization and the Aims of Science shows just how crucial idealization is to science and why it matters. Beginning with the acknowledgment of our status as limited human agents trying to make sense of an exceedingly complex world, Angela Potochnik moves on to explain how science aims to depict and make use of causal patterns—a project that makes essential use of idealization.

She offers case studies from a number of branches of science to demonstrate the ubiquity of idealization, shows how causal patterns are used to develop scientific explanations, and describes how the necessarily imperfect connection between science and truth leads to researchers’ values influencing their findings. The resulting book is a tour de force, a synthesis of the study of idealization that also offers countless new insights and avenues for future exploration.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Angela Potochnik's Idealization and the Aims of Science is praised for its compelling exploration of how idealizations help make the complexity of the world comprehensible through science. Critics highlight its thoughtful articulation of the role of social values in scientific practice and how science serves human cognitive and practical goals. The book is noted for being accessible to both novices and experts, offering diverse analyses of scientific practices while providing a coherent picture of science as a human endeavour.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780226759449

Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 September 2020

Country: United States

Imprint: University of Chicago Press

Illustration: 2 halftones, 8 line drawings, 6 tables

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 8.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 367g

Pages: 288

Collections

Angela Potochnik Education & Reference Non-Fiction Philosophy & Psychology Philosophy & Stoicism Science & Nature

About the Author

Angela Potochnik is professor in the Department of Philosophy and director of the Center for Public Engagement with Science at the University of Cincinnati.