Research Catalog

Title

Science, truth, and democracy / Philip Kitcher.

Author

Kitcher, Philip, 1947-

Publication

Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, c2001.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

xiii, 219 p.; 25 cm.

Summary

"Closely examining some of our most deeply held notions about the role of science, distinguished philosopher Philip Kitcher engages the heated debate about how scientific knowledge should be pursued and employed. There currently exists a sharp divide between the purists who believe that the pursuit of scientific knowledge is always valuable and necessary and those who believe that it invariably serves the interests of the powerful. Kitcher rejects both perspectives, painting a pragmatic portrait of the sciences that allows for the possibility of scientific truth but nonetheless permits social consensus to determine which avenues to investigate."--Jacket.

Series Statement

Oxford studies in philosophy of science

Uniform Title

Oxford studies in philosophy of science

Subjects

• Science > sociology
• Science > Philosophy
• Science > Social aspects

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

Unacceptable images -- The world as we find it -- The ideal of objectivity -- The world as we make it -- Mapping reality -- Scientific significance -- The myth of purity -- Constraints on free inquiry -- Organizing inquiry -- Well-ordered science -- Elitism, democracy, and science policy -- Subversive truth and ideals of progress -- The Luddites' laments -- Research in an imperfect world.

ISBN

• 0195145836
• 0195165527 (pbk)

LCCN

^^2001036144

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library