Philosophy of science

1a) Bunge, Mario, Philosophy of science: from problem to theory,

Revised edition, New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 1998, pp. 624. ISBN 13: 978-0-7658-0413-6 (paperback). [Scientific research I: The search for system, Berlin: Springer-Verlag, 1967].

http://books.google.fr/books?id=oX84XOf-T68C&printsec=frontcover&hl=fr#v=onepage&q&f=false

1b) Bunge, Mario, Philosophy of science: from explanation to justification,

Revised edition: New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 1998, pp. 455. ISBN 13: 978-0-7658-0414-3 (paperback). [Scientific research II: The search of truth, Berlin: Springer-Verlag 1967].

http://books.google.fr/books?id=ofcy8wZeLCoC&printsec=frontcover&hl=fr#v=onepage&q&f=false

Existe versión española: BUNGE, Mario, La investigación científica. Su estrategia y su filosofía, 2da. Ed., México: Editorial Siglo XXI Editores, 2002, pp. 800.

Description

Originally published as “Scientific Research”, this pair of volumes constitutes a fundamental treatise on the strategy of science.

Mario Bunge, one of the major figures of the century in the development of a scientific epistemology, describes and analyzes scientific philosophy, as well as discloses its philosophical presuppositions. This work may be used as a map to identify the various stages in the road to scientific knowledge.

Philosophy of Science is divided into two volumes, each with two parts. Part 1 offers a preview of the scheme of science and the logical and semantical took that will be used throughout the work. The account of scientific research begins with part 2, where Bunge discusses formulating the problem to be solved, hypothesis, scientific law, and theory.

The second volume opens with part 3, which deals with the application of theories to explanation, prediction, and action. This section is graced by an outstanding discussion of the philosophy of technology. Part 4 begins with measurement and experiment. It then examines risks in jumping to conclusions from data to hypotheses as well as the converse procedure.

Bunge begins this mammoth work with a section entitled “How to Use This Book”. He writes that it is intended for both independent reading and reference as well as for use in courses on scientific method and the philosophy of science. It suits a variety of purposes from introductory to advanced levels. Philosophy of Science is a versatile, informative, and useful text that will benefit professors, researchers, and students in a variety of disciplines, ranging from the behavioral and biological sciences to the physical sciences.

BUNGE, Mario, Philosophy of Science. From Problem to Theory, Volume one.

CONTENTS

Part I  Approach and Tools

1.            The Scientific Approach	3
1.1. Knowledge: Ordinary and Scientific	3
1.2. Scientific Method	8
1.3. Scientific Tactics	16
1.4. Branches of Science	24
1.5. Goal and Scope of Science	29
1.6. Pseudoscience	40
Bibliography	50
2.            Concept	51
2.1. Scientific Languages	52
2.2. Term and Concept	63
2.3. Reference, Extension and Intension	73
2.4. Partition, Ordering and Systematics	82
2.5. From Pretheoretical to Theoretical Systematics	91
2.6. Systematics of Concepts	99
Bibliography	106
3.            Elucidation	109
3.1. Vagueness and Borderline Cases	109
3.2. Sharpening	121
3.3. Definition	132
3.4. *Problems of Definition	145
3.5. Interpretation	156
3.6. Interpretation Procedures	164
3.7. Concept «Validity»	174
Bibliography	182
Part II   Scientific Ideas
4.            Problem	187
4.1. The Spring of Science	187
4.2. *Logic of Problems	193
4.3. Scientific Problems	208
4.4. A Paradigm, a Framework and a Simile	218
4.5. Heuristics	225
4.6. The End of Scientific Problems	232
4.7. Philosophical Problems	242
Bibliography	250
5.            Hypothesis	253
5.1. Meanings	253
5.2. Formulation	260
5.3. *Kinds: Form and Content	270
5.4. Kinds: Epistemological Viewpoint	277
5.5. Ground	287
5.6. Testability	296
5.7. *Requirements	309
5.8. Functions	317
5.9. Philosophical Hypotheses in Science	329
Bibliography	344
6.            Law	347
6.1. Variables and Invariants	347
6.2. Searching for Law	358
6.3. Kinds	370
6.4. Form and Content	380
6.5. Law Formula and Pattern	391
6.6. Requirements	403
6.7. *Laws of Laws	413
6.8. The Rule of Law	421
Bibliography	431
7.            Theory: Statics	433
7.1. The Nervous System of Science	434
7.2. Conceptual Unity	446
7.3. Deducibility	457
7.4. Abstract Theory and Interpretation	470
7.5. *Probability: Calculus, Models, Misinterpretations	482
7.6. Formal Desiderata	496
Bibliography	508
8.            Theory: Dynamics	511
8.1. Theory Construction	511
8.2. Mathematization	531
8.3. *Reconstruction (Formalization)	548
8.4. Reference and Evidence	561
8.5. Depth	575
Bibliography	589
Author Index	591
Subject Index	595

BUNGE, Mario, Philosophy of Science. From Explanation to Justification, Volume two.

CONTENTS

Part III Applying Scientific Ideas

9.            Explanation	3
9.1. Answering Whys	3
9.2. Nonscientific Explanation	10
9.3. Scientific Subsumption	19
9.4. Mechanismic Explanation	28
9.5. Mechanismic Explanation and Reduction of Laws	37
9.6. Explanatory Power	49
9.7. Functions and Reach	59
Bibliography	71
10.          Prediction	73
10.1. Projection	73
10.2. Stochastic Projection	82
10.3. Hindcast	94
10.4. Projective Power	107
10.5. Riddles	119
Bibliography	133
11.          Action	135
11.1. Truth and Action	136
11.2. Technological Rule	147
11.3. Technological Forecast	156
Bibliography	167
Part IV Testing Scientific Ideas
12.          Observation	171
12.1. Fact	171
12.2. Observability	181
12.3. Indicator	192
12.4. Data and Evidence	198
12.5. Function	209
Bibliography	216
13.          Measurement	217
13.1. Quantitation	217
13.2. Measured Value	231
13.3. Counting	239
13.4. Scale and Unit	246
13.5. Techniques	260
13.6. Upshot	270
Bibliography	279
14.          Experiment	281
14.1. Planned Change	281
14.2. Control	291
14.3. Design	300
14.4. Significance	306
14.5. Testing the Test	313
14.6. Functions	318
Bibliography	324
15.          Concluding	325
15.1. Inferring	325
15.2. Testing Observational Propositions	334
15.3. Testing Hypotheses	342
15.4. Confirmation and Refutation	354
15.5. A Case History: Torricelli	368
15.6. Testing Theories	377
15.7. Theory Assaying	388
Bibliography	404
Afterword	405
Author Index	411
Subject Index	415

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

This is a treatise on the strategy and philosophy of science. It is an attempt to describe and analyze scientific research, as well as to disclose some of its philosophical presuppositions. This work may then be used as a map to identify the various stages in the road to scientific knowledge. It is an update of the author’s Scientific Research (Berlin-Heidelberg-New York: Springer-Verlag, 1967, 1973).

This treatise is divided into two volumes of two parts each. Part I, the Introduction, offers a preview of the scheme of science (Ch. 1) and some logical and semantical tools (Chs. 2 and 3) that will be used in the sequel. The account of scientific research proper begins with Part II on Scientific Ideas. In the beginning was the problem a subject studied in Ch. 4. Then comes the tentative solution to a problem that is a hypothesis (Ch. 5). Next, the hypothesis assumed to reproduce an objective pattern, i.e. the scientific law (Ch. 6). Finally the building and readjustment of systems of hypotheses i.e., theories are examined in Chs. 7 (with emphasis on structure and content) and 8 (with emphasis on construction). This closes Vol. 1, From Problem to Theory. Vol. 2 opens with Part III, Applying Scientific Ideas. Ch. 9 deals with the application of theories to explanation and Ch. 10 with their application to prediction and retrodiction. Ch. 11, on rational action, belongs to the philosophy of technology. Finally Part IV, Testing Scientific Ideas, opens with observation (Ch. 12) and goes on to measurement (Ch. 13) and experiment (Ch. 14). The jumping to conclusions from data to hypotheses and conversely (Ch. 15) completes Vol. 2, From Explanation to Justification. Look at the structure:

A look at the logical relationships among the chapters as displayed in the previous diagram should help the reader to use the book and understand the philosophy of science it proposes.

*The paragraphs between asterisks may be skipped in a first reading*. What should not be omitted are some of the problems appended to every section. Their purpose is threefold: to test the reader’s understanding of the text, to shake his belief in it, and to invite him to advance the subject. There are more than a thousand such queries. Every problem set has been ordered roughly according to difficulty: the first few are usually exercises whereas some of the last are research problems. In assigning them the instructor should first appraise the background they require.

Quarrels with fellow metascientists have for the most part been avoided in the text and left to the problems. Bibliographical references, too, have been relegated to the problems and to lists at the end of every chapter. As a consequence every section resembles an uninterrupted lecture. With appropriate cuts each volume will cover one semester.

The book has been planned both for independent reading and reference, and for use in courses on Scientific Method and Philosophy of Science. Since the text oscillates between an introductory and an advanced level, it may suit a variety of purposes. For one thing, the book might be used as a substitute for formal lectures which anyhow would seem to have been rendered somewhat obsolete by Gutenberg. A lively discussion of the text and some of the problems, as well as of the results of exploring the suggested bibliography, should be more interesting and rewarding than a paraphrase. Warning: Any book on our subject is apt to make irritating demands on its reader: he will be asked to sail back and forth between the Scylla of science and the Charibdis of philosophy. The author sympathizes with the traveller but he cannot offer apologies; instead, he will state the truism that shipwrecking can be avoided either by abstaining from sailing or by training in the skill. May the present book be of help to those who feel seasick at the mere thought of having to learn some science, and a rough guide for those who wish to take a closer look at the beast. Let it be recalled however that no travel guide can make the journey for us.

MARIO BUNGE

DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

MCGILL UNIVERSITY

MONTREAL/CANADA