Alan Chalmers’ What is This Thing Called Science

Description

Alan Chalmers’ What is This Thing Called Science? (4th Edition) is a widely respected introduction to the philosophy of science, exploring fundamental questions about the nature, methods, and limits of scientific inquiry. First published in 1976 and revised over multiple editions, the book critically examines traditional and contemporary views on scientific knowledge, making complex philosophical debates accessible to a broad audience. Chalmers begins by questioning the common perception that science is based purely on objective observation and systematic experimentation. He critiques the classical inductivist view, which holds that scientific knowledge arises from the accumulation of observable facts. Instead, he discusses alternative models of scientific progress, such as Karl Popper’s falsificationism, which argues that scientific theories can never be proven true but can only be tested and potentially falsified. He also explores Thomas Kuhn’s paradigm shifts, which suggest that scientific revolutions occur when dominant frameworks are replaced rather than refined. The book delves into key issues like the problem of demarcation (what distinguishes science from non-science), the role of evidence, and the influence of social and historical contexts on scientific development. In later chapters, Chalmers addresses more recent challenges to traditional scientific realism, including perspectives from feminist philosophy of science and postmodern critiques. Written in a clear and engaging style, What is This Thing Called Science? serves as an essential guide for students and general readers interested in understanding the philosophical foundations of science. Its impact has made it a standard text in philosophy of science courses worldwide, encouraging critical thinking about how scientific knowledge is constructed, justified, and challenged.