Defining Science
William Whewell, Natural Knowledge and Public Debate in Early Victorian Britain
Published on 27. August 1993
Book
Hardback
298 pages
978-0-521-43182-8 (ISBN)
Description
This 1993 book deals with debates about science - its history, philosophy and moral value - in the first half of the nineteenth century, a period in which the 'modern' features of science developed. Defining Science also examines the different forms or genres in which science was discussed in the public sphere - most crucially in the Victorian review journals, but also in biographical, historical and educational works. William Whewell wrote major works on the history and philosophy of science before these became technical subjects. Consequently he had to define his own role as a metascientific critic (in a manner akin to cultural critics like Coleridge and Carlyle) as well as seeking to define science for both expert and lay audiences.
Reviews / Votes
'... a thoughtful discussion of the emergence of science as a major factor in the definition of Victorian civilisation.' Metascience '... at once a seminal vocational biography of the most prominent Victorian metascientist, and a penetrating study of the complex debate about the nature of science in nineteenth century Britain. It is a book no student of Victorian intellectual history can afford to ignore.' IsisMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
637 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-43182-8 (9780521431828)
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Schweitzer Classification
Person
Content
Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Science and the public sphere; 3. Metascience as a vocation; 4. Reviewing science; 5. Moral scientists; 6. Using history; 7. Moral science; 8. Science, education and society; 9. The unity of science.