
The Art of Science
University of Toronto Press
Published on 27. August 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
200 pages
978-1-4426-0098-0 (ISBN)
Description
The result of an unusual collaboration between a physicist with a strong interest in the histories of art and science, and a philosopher with a broad knowledge of science as a human activity, The Art of Science gives readers an appreciation of the activities of science: the hands-on work of experimentation, the struggle to convince people of the validity of novel findings, and the excitement of "eureka" moments. In so doing, the book shows how scientific knowledge is made, and occasionally unmade.
The Art of Science steers a course between two important and contradictory images that have a myth-like status: that of the scientist as computer, and that of the scientist as genius. If we abandon these images to focus on what scientists really do, we see that the sciences are also arts.
To show the artistry of science, text and images are woven together, so that the book makes its arguments not just through stories of science, but through vibrant and arresting illustrations that help to bring the activity of science to life. The Art of Science shows science not as austere and other-worldly, but as textured and wonderfully human.
The Art of Science steers a course between two important and contradictory images that have a myth-like status: that of the scientist as computer, and that of the scientist as genius. If we abandon these images to focus on what scientists really do, we see that the sciences are also arts.
To show the artistry of science, text and images are woven together, so that the book makes its arguments not just through stories of science, but through vibrant and arresting illustrations that help to bring the activity of science to life. The Art of Science shows science not as austere and other-worldly, but as textured and wonderfully human.
Reviews / Votes
Castel and Sismondo's discussion will certainly please all philosophers, sociologists, and historians with an interest in scientific practice, while the broad range of case studies and illustrations in each chapter will take students and general readers on a wonderful journey of discovery. - TecnoscienzaMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Toronto
Canada
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
340 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4426-0098-0 (9781442600980)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition

Boris Castel | Sergio Sismondo
The Art of Science
Book
12/2002
Broadview Press Ltd
€43.52
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Boris Castel, a nuclear physicist, is the author of several books on particle and nuclear physics. He is a professor of physics at Queen's University as well as the editor of the journal of ideas, Queen's Quarterly.
Sergio Sismondo is a professor in the Department of Philosophy at Queen's University and author of several books and numerous articles on the philosophy and social studies of science.
Sergio Sismondo is a professor in the Department of Philosophy at Queen's University and author of several books and numerous articles on the philosophy and social studies of science.
Content
1. The Computer and the Genius
2. Painting the Invisible
3. Logic and the Construction of Reason
4. Controversies and Consensus
5. Confronting Nature in Lab and Field
6. Doing Science in the Real World
7. The End of Science?
Sources and Further Reading
Acknowledgements
2. Painting the Invisible
3. Logic and the Construction of Reason
4. Controversies and Consensus
5. Confronting Nature in Lab and Field
6. Doing Science in the Real World
7. The End of Science?
Sources and Further Reading
Acknowledgements