Practical Applications of the Philosophy of Science: Thinking about Research (SpringerBriefs in Philosophy)

Explores the practical applicability ofthe philosophy of science to scientific research, but also considers its relevance to practice within the realms of technology, design, crafts, and even within the world of arts and the humanities. The attempt to engage working scientists with the issues raised by the philosophy of science may profitably be extended to examine its applicability to any other fields of knowledge that encompass a problem-solving dimension. Drawing on his experience as a research and development scientist in the biomedical device industry, the author shows how the principles of the philosophy of science illuminate the research process. The book is structured on the concept of the inspirational text; it consists of short chapters, each of which provides an accessible discussion of an aspect of the philosophy of science. Each chapter concludes with a list of practical pointers towards the development of attitudes and skills which will benefit the student researcher. Read more... Abstract: Explores the practical applicability ofthe philosophy of science to scientific research, but also considers its relevance to practice within the realms of technology, design, crafts, and even within the world of arts and the humanities. The attempt to engage working scientists with the issues raised by the philosophy of science may profitably be extended to examine its applicability to any other fields of knowledge that encompass a problem-solving dimension. Drawing on his experience as a research and development scientist in the biomedical device industry, the author shows how the principles of the philosophy of science illuminate the research process. The book is structured on the concept of the inspirational text; it consists of short chapters, each of which provides an accessible discussion of an aspect of the philosophy of science. Each chapter concludes with a list of practical pointers towards the development of attitudes and skills which will benefit the student researcher Explores the practical applicability of the philosophy of science to scientific research, but also considers its relevance to practice within the realms of technology, design, crafts, and even within the world of arts and the humanities. The attempt to engage working scientists with the issues raised by the philosophy of science may profitably be extended to examine its applicability to any other fields of knowledge that encompass a problem-solving dimension. Drawing on his experience as a research and development scientist in the biomedical device industry, the author shows how the principles of the philosophy of science illuminate the research process. The book is structured on the concept of the inspirational text; it consists of short chapters, each of which provides an accessible discussion of an aspect of the philosophy of science. Each chapter concludes with a list of practical pointers towards the development of attitudes and skills which will benefit the student researcher. ​ Preface 5 Acknowledgments 6 Contents 7 1 Introduction: A Personal Perspective 9 Abstract 9 2 It’s About Attitude and Experiments 14 Abstract 14 References 20 3 What’s the Problem? 21 Abstract 21 References 26 4 Oh No! Something Doesn’t Fit! 27 Abstract 27 References 32 5 The Solutions to Problems 33 Abstract 33 References 39 6 Making Observations 40 Abstract 40 References 45 7 Seeing is Not Necessarily Believing 46 Abstract 46 References 51 8 Testing Hypotheses 52 Abstract 52 References 57 9 More on Induction and Justification 59 Abstract 59 References 64 10 Models: Useful but Not True 65 Abstract 65 References 71 11 Just Be ...... Cause 72 Abstract 72 References 78 12 A Question of Trust 79 Abstract 79 References 84 13 Science, Non-Science and Pseudoscience 85 Abstract 85 References 91 14 Scientific Thinking: Being Rational? 92 Abstract 92 References 97 15 Some Concluding Thoughts 98 Abstract 98 Further Reading 99 Index 101 Front Matter....Pages i-x Introduction: A Personal Perspective....Pages 1-5 It’s About Attitude and Experiments....Pages 7-13 What’s the Problem?....Pages 15-20 Oh No! Something Doesn’t Fit!....Pages 21-26 The Solutions to Problems....Pages 27-33 Making Observations....Pages 35-40 Seeing is Not Necessarily Believing....Pages 41-46 Testing Hypotheses....Pages 47-53 More on Induction and Justification....Pages 55-60 Models: Useful but Not True....Pages 61-67 Just Be ...... Cause....Pages 69-75 A Question of Trust....Pages 77-82 Science, Non-Science and Pseudoscience....Pages 83-89 Scientific Thinking: Being Rational?....Pages 91-96 Some Concluding Thoughts....Pages 97-99 Back Matter....Pages 101-102