Description
'A scientific opinion is one which there is some reason to believe is true; an unscientific opinion is one which is held for some reason other than its probable truth.' - Bertrand Russell
One of Russell's most important books, this early classic on science illuminates his thinking on the promise and threat of scientific progress. Russell considers three questions fundamental to an understanding of science: the nature and scope of scientific knowledge, the increased power over nature that science affords, and the changes in the lives of human beings that result from new forms of science. With customary wit and clarity, Russell offers brilliant discussions of many major scientific figures, including Aristotle, Galileo, Newton and Darwin.
With a new introduciton by David Papineau, King's College, London.
Table of Contents
1: Scientific Knowledge; 1: Examples of Scientific Method; 2: Characteristics of Scientific Method; 3: Limitations of Scientific Method; 4: Scientific Metaphysics; 5: Science and Religion; 2: Scientific Technique; 6: Beginnings of Scientific Technique; 7: Technique in Inanimate Nature; 8: Technique in Biology; 9: Technique in Physiology; 10: Technique in Psychology; 11: Technique in Society; 3: The Scientific Society; 12: Artificially Created Societies; 13: The Individual and the Whole; 14: Scientific Government; 15: Education in a Scientific Society; 16: Scientific Reproduction; 17: Science and Values
