C. A. Hooker is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. A preeminent philosopher of science, he has published widely in his field. He is the co-author of Energy and the Quality of Life: Understanding Energy Policy with R.M. McDonald, P. Victor and R. van Hulst, and Images of Science with Paul M. Churchland.

• Acknowledgments Preface Chapter 1. Statement Chapter 2. Systematic Realism Chapter 3. Philosophy and Meta-Philosophy of Science:Empiricism, Popperianism and Realism Chapter 4. On Global Theories Chapter 5. Methodology and Systematic Philosophy Chapter 6. Surface Dazzle, Ghostly Depths: An Exposition and Critical Evaluation of van Fraassen's Vindication of Empiricism Against Realism Chapter 7. Understanding and Control: An Essay on the Structural Dynamics of Human Cognition Chapter 8. Evolutionary Naturalist Realism: Circa 1985 Notes Bibliography Index of Names Subject Index

"Hooker brings a depth and breadth of vision to the standard issues in his field that far surpass any of his competitors, even the few who have larger reputations. Anyone who reads this book will have his conception of the field permanently changed." — Paul M. Churchland"Hooker presents a unified and powerful argument for realism, taking into account the major recent critiques of this position. Hooker also develops this view, and its consequences for philosophy of science, epistemology, science policy, and social and political philosophy to a degree that no one else has approached." — Harold I. Brown

C. A. Hooker is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. A preeminent philosopher of science, he has published widely in his field. He is the co-author of Energy and the Quality of Life: Understanding Energy Policy with R.M. McDonald, P. Victor and R. van Hulst, and Images of Science with Paul M. Churchland.

• Acknowledgments Preface Chapter 1. Statement Chapter 2. Systematic Realism Chapter 3. Philosophy and Meta-Philosophy of Science:Empiricism, Popperianism and Realism Chapter 4. On Global Theories Chapter 5. Methodology and Systematic Philosophy Chapter 6. Surface Dazzle, Ghostly Depths: An Exposition and Critical Evaluation of van Fraassen's Vindication of Empiricism Against Realism Chapter 7. Understanding and Control: An Essay on the Structural Dynamics of Human Cognition Chapter 8. Evolutionary Naturalist Realism: Circa 1985 Notes Bibliography Index of Names Subject Index

"Hooker brings a depth and breadth of vision to the standard issues in his field that far surpass any of his competitors, even the few who have larger reputations. Anyone who reads this book will have his conception of the field permanently changed." — Paul M. Churchland"Hooker presents a unified and powerful argument for realism, taking into account the major recent critiques of this position. Hooker also develops this view, and its consequences for philosophy of science, epistemology, science policy, and social and political philosophy to a degree that no one else has approached." — Harold I. Brown

C. A. Hooker is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. A preeminent philosopher of science, he has published widely in his field. He is the co-author of Energy and the Quality of Life: Understanding Energy Policy with R.M. McDonald, P. Victor and R. van Hulst, and Images of Science with Paul M. Churchland.

• Acknowledgments Preface Chapter 1. Statement Chapter 2. Systematic Realism Chapter 3. Philosophy and Meta-Philosophy of Science:Empiricism, Popperianism and Realism Chapter 4. On Global Theories Chapter 5. Methodology and Systematic Philosophy Chapter 6. Surface Dazzle, Ghostly Depths: An Exposition and Critical Evaluation of van Fraassen's Vindication of Empiricism Against Realism Chapter 7. Understanding and Control: An Essay on the Structural Dynamics of Human Cognition Chapter 8. Evolutionary Naturalist Realism: Circa 1985 Notes Bibliography Index of Names Subject Index

"Hooker brings a depth and breadth of vision to the standard issues in his field that far surpass any of his competitors, even the few who have larger reputations. Anyone who reads this book will have his conception of the field permanently changed." — Paul M. Churchland"Hooker presents a unified and powerful argument for realism, taking into account the major recent critiques of this position. Hooker also develops this view, and its consequences for philosophy of science, epistemology, science policy, and social and political philosophy to a degree that no one else has approached." — Harold I. Brown