The Book of Evidence
Published on 20. September 2001
Book
Hardback
298 pages
978-0-19-514389-8 (ISBN)
Description
What is required for something to be evidence for an hypothesis? The distinguished philosopher of science, Peter Achinstein, introduces here a basic concept of "potential" evidence which is characterized using a novel epistemic interpretation of probability. The resulting theory is applied to a range of philosophical and historical issues, including the "grue" and "raven" paradoxes; whether explanation or predictions provide more evidential weight; scientific discovery; whether Jean Perrin had non-circular evidence for molecules; and whether J.J. Thomson really discovered the electron.
Reviews / Votes
Peter Achinstein has written a book for anyone who wonders what has happened to confirmation theory and the interpretation of probability among philosophers of science since the golden age of Hempel, Carnap, and Reichenbach ... This book has a rare combination of analytical clarity and historical sensibility and could only have been written by someone who has been thinking about these issues for several decades ... notable too for providing a lucid account of the main positions onevidence and probability available today that will be accessible to students (and others) not familiar with the territory ... Achinstein's project is richly executed, with many fringe benefits. IsisMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
7 line illustrations
ISBN-13
978-0-19-514389-8 (9780195143898)
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Schweitzer Classification