195279

Springer, Dordrecht

2011

167 Pages

ISBN 978-3-642-17704-0

Philosophy in science

an historical introduction

Michael Heller

The traditional topics of the "philosophy of nature" — space, time, causality, the structure of the universe — are overwhelmingly present in our modern scientific theories. This book traces the complex paths that discussion of these topics has followed, from Plato and Aristotle, through Descartes, Leibniz, Kant and other great thinkers, right up to the relativistic cosmologies and the grand unified theories of contemporary science. In the light of this historical development, it becomes clear that modern science gives usnot only a technological power over the world, but also a deeper understanding of physical reality. In this sense, science could be regarded as an heir to the traditional "philosophy of nature". Moreover, the reader will learn why science itself deserves to be the subject of philosophical reflection.

Publication details

Full citation:

Heller, M. (2011). Philosophy in science: an historical introduction, Springer, Dordrecht.

Table of Contents

Aristotle's physics

Heller Michael

17-29

Open Access Link
Descartes' mechanism

Heller Michael

37-46

Open Access Link
The world of Leibniz

Heller Michael

61-72

Open Access Link
Immanuel Kant

Heller Michael

73-84

Open Access Link
The romantic philosophy of nature

Heller Michael

85-100

Open Access Link
The cosmology of Whitehead

Heller Michael

101-112

Open Access Link
Popper's open universe

Heller Michael

113-128

Open Access Link
Science as philosophy

Heller Michael

129-151

Open Access Link

This document is unfortunately not available for download at the moment.