Blackwell Guide to the Philosophy of Science

Peter Machamer is Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Pittsburgh. He is editor of the Cambridge Companion to Galileo (1998), Scientific Controversies (2000), and Theory and Method in the Neurosciences (2001). Michael Silberstein is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Elizabethtown College. He is an NEH Fellow who has published and delivered papers on both philosophy of science and philosophy of mind.

• Notes on Contributors viiPreface x1.A Brief Historical Introduction to the Philosophy of Science 1Peter Machamer2.Philosophy of Science: Classic Debates, Standard Problems, Future Prospects 18John Worrall3.Explanation 37Jim Woodward4.Structures of Scientific Theories 55Carl F. Craver5.Reduction, Emergence and Explanation 80Michael Silberstein6.Models, Metaphors and Analogies 108Daniela Bailer-Jones7.Experiment and Observation 128James Bogen8.Induction and Probability 149Alan Hajek and Ned Hall9.Philosophy of Space-Time Physics 173Craig Callender and Carl Hoefer10.Interpreting Quantum Theories 199Laura Ruetsche11.Evolution 227Roberta L. Millstein12.Molecular and Developmental Biology 252Paul Griffiths13.Cognitive science 272Rick Grush14.Philosophy of Social Science 290Harold Kincaid15.Feminist Philosophy of Science 312Lynn Hankinson NelsonIndex 332

"This is an accessible and informative overview of central issues and themes in contemporary philosophy of science." Philip Kitcher, Columbia University "The standard of all the essays is high, they offer extensive guides to further reading and there is a short introduction on the history of philsophy of science ... it offers an excellent resource for students and others to find out about the latest developments in the philosophy of science." Time Higher Education Supplement "...it is inspiring to hear someone articulately introduce their field without underestimating the intelligence of their audience -- a difficult feat. This is one such introductory book. "...[I]t tackles the field from the perspective of ongoing and emerging debates, and individuals and their ideas are contextualised within these discussions. As one expects from Blackwell, the book is of uniformly high quality." Metapsychology On-line Book Reviews