The Origins of Science: An Inquiry into the Foundations of Western Thought

Description

First published in 1962 The Origins of Science tries to explain scientific thought from its historical and psychological origins. The depth of psychology of today rather than traditional epistemology is needed in order to understand the problems of knowledge. Reality is the first problem of the scientist; it is exemplified by the idea of object, or of matter. The development of this idea from its Greek beginnings is traced and the unconscious mechanisms that underlie our thought processes -of abstraction, generalisation, etc.- are made manifest. The second problem is that of truth; it is illustrated by examples from the history of mathematics and of logic. Again, the ‘psychology’ of what we accept as truth is made explicit. Scientific method is the intellectual safeguard for the criteria of truth and reality. Instead of traditional induction, the creative view of scientific activity must be accepted. This book is a must read for scholars and researchers of philosophy of science and philosophy in general. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Original Title Page Original Copyright Page Preface Table of Contents Part One: The Scientific Attitude I: The Origins of Science II: The Ideal of Rationality III: On the History of Philosophy IV: On the Problem of Knowledge V: Philosophical Theories of Knowledge Part Two: Science and the Criterion for Reality VI: Ontology: The Search for an Objects—the Atom VII: Causality: Law and Order Part Three: Logic and the Truth Criterion VIII: Criteria for Truth and Reality IX: The Formal Use of Symbols X: The Concept of Number XI: The Deductive System XII: The Rules of Deduction XIII: Contradiction and Truth XIV: Theories of Truth Part Four: Science as Creative Activity XV: Scientific Method XVI: The Freedom of Science XVII: Conclusion Selected Bibliography Index