Science, Explanation, and Rationality : Aspects of the Philosophy of Carl G. Hempel

Carl G. Hempel exerted greater influence upon philosophers of science than any other figure during the 20th century. In this far-reaching collection, distinguished philosophers contribute valuable studies that illuminate and clarify the central problems to which Hempel was devoted. The essays enhance our understanding of the development of logical empiricism as the major intellectual influence for scientifically-oriented philosophers and philosophically-minded scientists of the 20th century. Contents......Page 10 Contributors......Page 12 Editor’s Introduction......Page 16 Prologue: An Intellectual Autobiography: Carl G. Hempel......Page 34 Part I: Scientific Reasoning......Page 68 1. Hempel and the Vienna Circle......Page 70 2. Hempel’s Logicist Philosophy of Mathematics: Background and Sequel......Page 96 Part II: Probability and Induction......Page 106 3. Probable Inference versus Probable Conclusions......Page 108 4. Hempel on the Problem of Induction......Page 122 Part III: The Covering-Law Models......Page 140 5. The Paradoxes of Hempelian Explanation......Page 142 6. Hempel’s Theory of Statistical Explanation......Page 169 Part IV: Theories and Predictions......Page 196 7. The Symmetry Thesis......Page 198 8. Hempel and the Problem of Provisos......Page 217 Part V: Explanations of Behavior......Page 246 9. Explanation in History......Page 248 10. Reasonable People......Page 274 Part VI: Scientific Rationality......Page 296 11. Analytic and Synthetic Understanding......Page 298 12. The Objectivity and the Rationality of Science......Page 318 Epilogue: The Spirit of Logical Empiricism: Carl G. Hempel’s Role in Twentieth-Century Philosophy of Science......Page 340 A Bibliography of Carl G. Hempel......Page 356 D......Page 364 K......Page 365 R......Page 366 Z......Page 367 C......Page 368 H......Page 369 M......Page 370 P......Page 371 T......Page 372 W......Page 373 Hempel and the Vienna circle / Michael Friedman Hempel's logicist philosophy of mathematics: background and sequel / Jaakko Hintikka Probable inference versus probable conclusions / Henry E. Kyburg, Jr. Hempel on the problem of induction / Risto Hilpinen The paradoxes of Hempelian explanation / James H. Fetzer Hempel's theory of statistical explanation / Ilkka Niiniluoto The symmetry thesis / Peter Achinstein Hempel and the problem of provisos / Frederick Suppe Explanation in history / William H. Dray Reasonable people / Philip Kitcher Analytic and synthetic understanding / Paul W. Humphreys The objectivity and the rationality of science / Robert Nozick Epilogue: the spirit of logical empiricism: Carl G. Hempel's role in twentieth-century philosophy of science / Wesley C. Salmon The late Carl Hempel was one of the most influential philosophers of science in the 20th century. His work defined the problems and the methodology of the discipline for over 30 years. In this volume, 13 philosophers, most of whom studied with Hempel, illuminate and clarify the central problems to which Carl G. Hempel was devoted. The result offers readers an explanation of major developments in the philosophy of science, particularly the development of logical empiricism as a major intellectual influence for scientifically-oriented philosphers and philosophically-minded scientists during the 20th century. It should be useful to a broad audience of students and scholars of the philosophy of science, of the history of philosophy, and of 20th century intellectual history Edited By James H. Fetzer. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. I first met Hempel when I was an undergraduate at Queens College.