TY - JOUR
T1 - Book review: Evidence and Method: Scientific Strategies of Isaac Newton and James Clerk Maxwell / Peter Achinstein. - Oxford University Press, New York, 2013
AU - Avelar Sotomaior Karam, Ricardo
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - In his book Evidence and Method: Scientific Strategies of Isaac Newton and James Clerk Maxwell
the renowned philosopher of science Peter Achinstein focuses on the
question whether observed phenomena constitute evidence that a theory is
true. Analyzing two central historical cases, he has mainly two goals:
(1) To argue that by using his Rules for the Study of Natural Philosophy
Newton was able to establish a universal law of gravitation to explain a
range of phenomena, and (2) To describe three methods used by Maxwell
when there were no sufficient evidence to establish a theory (or there
was no theory available). The book is clearly written, aims at a general
audience and provides valuable insights into the works of these two
icons of modern science. Thus, it is warmly recommended for the readers
of Science & Education. On the other
hand, the book lacks historical grounding and its argumentation, at some
points, appears to be based on personal convictions. The general feelin
...
AB - In his book Evidence and Method: Scientific Strategies of Isaac Newton and James Clerk Maxwell
the renowned philosopher of science Peter Achinstein focuses on the
question whether observed phenomena constitute evidence that a theory is
true. Analyzing two central historical cases, he has mainly two goals:
(1) To argue that by using his Rules for the Study of Natural Philosophy
Newton was able to establish a universal law of gravitation to explain a
range of phenomena, and (2) To describe three methods used by Maxwell
when there were no sufficient evidence to establish a theory (or there
was no theory available). The book is clearly written, aims at a general
audience and provides valuable insights into the works of these two
icons of modern science. Thus, it is warmly recommended for the readers
of Science & Education. On the other
hand, the book lacks historical grounding and its argumentation, at some
points, appears to be based on personal convictions. The general feelin
...
U2 - 10.1007/s11191-014-9717-7
DO - 10.1007/s11191-014-9717-7
M3 - Literature review
SN - 0926-7220
VL - 23
SP - 2137
EP - 2148
JO - Science & Education
JF - Science & Education
IS - 10
ER -