Popper's Theory of Science: An Apologia (Continuum Studies in Philosophy, 18)

popper's Theory Of Science Has Been Widely Misunderstood And Poorly Represented In The Literature On Philosophy Of Science, Over The Last Three Decades. This Book Discusses The Main Issues In Popper's Theory Of Science And, After Giving A Careful Characterization Of Each Issue, Examines The Main Objections That Have Been Raised Against Them And Offers Ways Of Circumventing Them. It Demonstrates That Popper's Theory Can Guide Us Again To A Better Understanding Of The Aim And The Structure Of Science. "Popper's theory of science has been widely misunderstood and poorly represented over the last three decades in the literature on philosophy of science. The reader can find numerous apparently devastating criticisms directed at the core concepts of this theory (falsifiability and its role in the solution to the problem of induction, corroboration and verisimilitude). Philosophy-minded readers who are not very familiar with the writings of Popper, and who form their philosophical judgement based on the views that are dominant in the secondary literature, usually conclude that Popper's theory of science is untenable." "This book discusses the main issues in Popper's theory of science and, after giving a careful characterization of each issue, examines the main objections that have been raised and offers ways of circumventing them. This task is undertaken by means of a thorough analysis of the central concepts of Popper's theory, namely, falsifiability (as a criterion of demarcation between science and non-science and as a means to rescue the rationality of scientific knowledge), corroboration and verisimilitude. The book shows that Popper's theory can guide us again to a better understanding of the aim and the structure of science."--BOOK JACKET Acknowledgements......Page 8 Abbreviations......Page 10 1 Introduction......Page 12 2 Solution to the Problem of Induction......Page 19 3 Falsifiability......Page 49 4 Corroboration......Page 95 5 Verisimilitude......Page 132 Appendix: List of Definitions......Page 167 References......Page 168 Index......Page 173