Whys and Ways of Science

What is "scientific knowledge"? How do we distinguish between science and non-science? Is "scientific method" a rational process? How do social factors affect science and what happens when science is institutionalized? This book explores these questions and more. It presents and criticizes the theories of Kuhn, Lakatos, Laudan, Feyerabend, Latour and other prominent philosophers and sociologists of science. It describes in plain terms theories about both science and the workings of scientists. It provides arguments on both the philosophical and sociological sides of the debate on the workings of science, enabling readers to make up their own minds on many of the issues raised. This straightforward book, refreshingly free from jargon, is for any student looking for an introduction to the history and philosophy of science.