
Is Water H2O?
Evidence, Realism and Pluralism
Hasok Chang(Author)
Springer (Publisher)
Published on 24. May 2012
Book
Hardback
340 pages
978-94-007-3931-4 (ISBN)
Description
This book exhibits deep philosophical quandaries and intricacies of the historical development of science lying behind a simple and fundamental item of common sense in modern science, namely the composition of water as H2O. Three main phases of development are critically re-examined, covering the historical period from the 1760s to the 1860s: the Chemical Revolution (through which water first became recognized as a compound, not an element), early electrochemistry (by which water's compound nature was confirmed), and early atomic chemistry (in which water started out as HO and became H2O). In each case, the author concludes that the empirical evidence available at the time was not decisive in settling the central debates and therefore the consensus that was reached was unjustified or at least premature. This leads to a significant re-examination of the realism question in the philosophy of science and a unique new advocacy for pluralism in science. Each chapter contains three layers, allowing readers to follow various parts of the book at their chosen level of depth and detail. The second major study in "complementary science", this book offers a rare combination of philosophy, history and science in a bid to improve scientific knowledge through history and philosophy of science.
Reviews / Votes
From the reviews:
"This book is an exemplary instance of a welcome contemporary trend to produce work that self-consciously attempts to integrate history and philosophy of science. ... The history is detailed, acute and informative and the philosophical views defended are challenging. The book is valuable and well worth reading both by those professionally involved in history and philosophy of science and more widely." (Alan Chalmers, Science & Education, October, 2012)More details
Product info
HC gerader Rücken kaschiert
Series
Edition
2012
Language
English
Place of publication
Dordrecht
Netherlands
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Popular/general
Illustrations
2 s/w Tabellen, 45 s/w Abbildungen
2 Tables, black and white; 45 Illustrations, black and white; XXI, 316 p. 45 illus.
Dimensions
Height: 241 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
676 gr
ISBN-13
978-94-007-3931-4 (9789400739314)
DOI
10.1007/978-94-007-3932-1
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
02/2014
Springer
€374.49
Shipment within 15-20 days

E-Book
05/2012
1st Edition
Springer
€373.43
Available for download
Content
Introduction.- Water and the Chemical Revolution.- Piles of Confusion: the Mixed Blessing of Electrolysis.- HO or H2O?.-Evidence in Action (or, The Contextuality of Evidence).- Pluralism in Practice.- Realism in a Free Society.- Epilogue: Complementary Science Continued.