Theories On The Scrap Heap: Scientists and Philosophers on the Falsification, Rejection, and Replacement of Theories

by John Losee

Overview

In a recent issue of the Atlantic Monthly, Cullen Murphy wrote that "It is always a little disconcerting when audacious scientific theories come a cropper." In this case, he was speaking of Stephen Hawking's now self-repudiated idea that information swallowed by cosmic black holes might be escaping into "baby universes." John Losee looks at the subject of rejected scientific theories through an analysis of case studies from more than two centuries of science.

Losee excerpts the work of prominent scientists and philosophers of science accompanied by evaluative comments from the fields of science and philosophy. He sets these discussions within an analytical framework developed as answers to a sequence of questions about falsification, rejection, and theory replacement: When observational evidence conflicts with the assumptions of a theory, does this signify the death of the theory? If rival theories are available to account for an experience, how is the choice between them to be made? Are there generally accepted criteria against which competing theories may be assessed? When is the replacement of one theory by another justified?

Each excerpt from each scientist or philosopher is of sufficient length to make clear the particular evaluative problem under consideration, and each discussion of scientific evaluative practice includes both what scientists and what philosophers have written on the topic.

At a time when increasingly complex scientific questions must be considered and addressed in a variety of public forums, Theories on the Scrap Heap offers guidance for assessing the underlying assumptions and validity of scientific theory and for understanding how the scientific method works in theories formation and rejection.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780822958734
Publisher:	University of Pittsburgh Press
Publication date:	04/07/2005
Series:	Fields Institute Communications Ser.
Edition description:	1
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

John Losee is emeritus professor of philosophy at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. His published works include A Historical Introduction to the Philosophy of Science, Fourth Edition, which has been translated into eleven languages; Philosophy of Science and Historical Enquiry; and Theories of Scientific Progress. 

Editorial Reviews

What’s the most effective way to prove that a scientific theory is false?  John Losee combines the logical analysis of the philosopher with the broad knowledge of the historian to show how scientists test proposed theories.  His very useful and highly readable book illustrates, with appropriate excerpts from the writings of scientists and philosophers, how science weeds out weak theories and helps the strong ones to survive.  I recommend it to everyone who wants to know how science works.”
—Stephen G. Brush, University of Maryland


“Losee’s book provides an excellent introduction to theory evaluation and theory change by illustrating methodological claims with a large number of well-documented examples from the history of science.  His fine collection of case-studies is a treasure-trove of methodological argument.  Losee makes the reader feel like an eye-witness to the practice of scientific reasoning.”
—Martin Carrier, University of Bielefeld, Germany

From the Publisher