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In this innovative book, Hasok Chang constructs a philosophy of science for 'realistic people' interested in understanding and promoting the actual practices of inquiry in science and other knowledge-focused areas of life. Inspired by pragmatist philosophy, he reconceives the very notions of reality and truth on the basis of his concept of the 'operational coherence' of epistemic activities, and offers new pragmatist conceptions of truth and reality as operational ideals achievable in actual scientific practice. Rejecting the version of scientific realism that is concerned with claiming that our theories correspond to an ultimate reality, he proposes instead an 'activist realism': a commitment to do all that we can actually do to improve our knowledge of realities. His book will appeal to scholars and students in philosophy, science and the history of science, and all who are concerned about the place of science and empirical truth in society.
List of contents
Introduction; 1. Active Knowledge; 2. Correspondence; 3. Reality; 4. Truth; 5. Realism; Closing Remarks.
About the author
Hasok Chang is the Hans Rausing Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge. He is the author of Inventing Temperature: Measurement and Scientific Progress (2004), joint winner of the 2006 Lakatos Award, and of Is Water H2O? Evidence, Realism and Pluralism (2012).
Summary
An innovative book in the philosophy of science that will be meaningful and accessible to wider audiences; Chang's pragmatic realism for 'realistic people' should appeal to scholars and students in philosophy, science and history, and all who are concerned about the place of science and empirical truth in society.
Foreword
A new pragmatist philosophy of science that conceives truth and reality as operational ideals achievable in actual scientific practice.
