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Progress and Its Problems: Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth
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Progress and Its Problems: Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth Paperback - 1978

by Larry Laudan


From the publisher

"A book that shakes philosophy of science to its roots. Laudan both destroys and creates. With detailed, scathing criticisms, he attacks the 'pregnant confusions' in extant philosophies of science. The progress they espouse derives from strictly empirical criteria, he complains, and this clashes with historical evidence. Accordingly, Laudan constructs a remedy from historical examples that involves nothing less than the redefinition of scientific rationality and progress . . . Surprisingly, after this reshuffling, science still looks like a noble-and progressive-enterprise ... The glory of Laudan's system is that it preserves scientific rationality and progress in the presence of social influence. We can admit extra-scientific influences without lapsing into complete relativism. . . a must for both observers and practitioners of science." --Physics Today "A critique and substantial revision of the historic theories of scientific rationality and progress (Popper, Kuhn, Lakatos, Feyerabend, etc.). Laudan focuses on contextual problem solving effectiveness (carefully defined) as a criterion for progress, and expands the notion of 'paradigm' to a 'research tradition, ' thus providing a meta-empirical basis for the commensurability of competing theories. From this perspective, Laudan suggests revised programs for history and philosophy of science, the history of ideas, and the sociology of science. A superb work, closely argued, clearly written, and extensively annotated, this book will become a widely required text in intermediate courses."--Choice

First line

It is the purpose of this short book to sketch what seem to be the implications, for both the history of science and its philosophy, of a view of scientific inquiry which perceives science as being-above all else-a problem-solving activity.

Details

  • Title Progress and Its Problems: Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth
  • Author Larry Laudan
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: First
  • Pages 272
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher University of California Press, Ewing, New Jersey, U.S.A.
  • Date 1978-10-27
  • ISBN 9780520037212 / 0520037219
  • Weight 0.8 lbs (0.36 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.95 x 5.98 x 0.7 in (22.73 x 15.19 x 1.78 cm)
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 76024586
  • Dewey Decimal Code 501

About the author

Larry Laudan is a contemporary philosopher of science and epistemologist. He has strongly criticized the traditions of positivism, realism, and relativism, and he has defended a view of science as a privileged and progressive institution against popular challenges.
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Progress and Its Problems: Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth

Progress and Its Problems: Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth

by Larry Laudan

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Progress and Its Problems : Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth
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Progress and Its Problems : Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth

by Laudan, Larry

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Progress and Its Problems: Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth
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Progress and Its Problems: Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth

by Laudan, Larry

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ISBN 13
9780520037212
ISBN 10
0520037219
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Progress and Its Problems: Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth

Progress and Its Problems: Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth

by Larry Laudan

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ISBN 13
9780520037212
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Paperback / softback. New. Offers a critique and substantial revision of the historic theories of scientific rationality and progress. This book focuses on contextual problem solving effectiveness as a criterion for progress, and expands the notion of 'paradigm' to a 'research tradition,' thus providing a meta-empirical basis for the commensurability of competing theories.
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Progress and Its Problems  Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth
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Progress and Its Problems Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth

by Laudan, Larry

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Progress & its Problems – Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth (Paper)
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Progress & its Problems – Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth (Paper)

by Larry Laudan

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ISBN 13
9780520037212
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Univ of California Pr, 1981. Paperback. New. 268 pages. 9.00x6.25x0.75 inches.
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Progress and Its Problems: Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth

Progress and Its Problems: Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth

by Larry Laudan

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ISBN 13
9780520037212
ISBN 10
0520037219
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Paperback / softback. New. Offers a critique and substantial revision of the historic theories of scientific rationality and progress. This book focuses on contextual problem solving effectiveness as a criterion for progress, and expands the notion of 'paradigm' to a 'research tradition,' thus providing a meta-empirical basis for the commensurability of competing theories.
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Progress & its Problems – Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth (Paper)
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Progress & its Problems – Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth (Paper)

by Larry Laudan

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ISBN 13
9780520037212
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0520037219
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Univ of California Pr, 1981. Paperback. New. 268 pages. 9.00x6.25x0.75 inches.
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Progress and Its Problems: Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth
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Progress and Its Problems: Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth

by Laudan, Larry

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  • Paperback
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ISBN 13
9780520037212
ISBN 10
0520037219
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Progress and Its Problems: Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth
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Progress and Its Problems: Towards a Theory of Scientific Growth

by Laudan, Larry

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Paperback
ISBN 13
9780520037212
ISBN 10
0520037219
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