Worldviews ─ An Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science

Updated throughout and with three entirely new chapters, Worldviews: An Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science, Second Edition furthers its reputation as the definitive introductory text on the historical developments and philosophical issues that inform our scientific view of the world around us.
Represents an innovative introduction to the history and philosophy of science, designed especially for those coming to the subject for the first time
Updated new edition features the addition of chapters focusing on scientific laws, evolutionary theory, and implications of evolution
Covers the key historical developments and philosophical themes that have impacted our scientific view of the world around us
Analyzes the transitions from the Aristotelian worldview to the Newtonian worldview to a new and currently developing worldview
Explores challenges to the Western scientific worldview brought on by recent discoveries

Richard DeWitt is Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Fairfield University. In addition to the history and philosophy of science, Professor DeWitt's research interests include mathematical and philosophical logic, and the philosophy of mind.

"Written in clear and comprehensible prose and supplemented by effective diagrams and examples, Worldviews is an ideal text for anyone new to the history and philosophy of science. As the reader will come to find out, DeWitt is a gifted writer with the unique ability to break down complex and technical concepts into digestible parts, making Worldviews a welcoming and not overwhelming book for the introductory reader." (History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences, vol. 28-2)
"The author is to be commended for the rare clarity of his writing, and for the truly impressive, most useful diagrams exemplifying many abstruse concepts and theses of quantum and relativistic theories. Unlike many other introductions to philosophy of science, DeWitt's book is at once historically informative and philosophically thorough and rigorous. Chapter notes, suggested readings, and references enhance its value". (Choice)
"This is a brilliantly clear introduction (and indeed reframing) of the history and philosophy of science in terms of world-views and thier elements.... In addition, the book is incredibly well-informed from both a scientific and philosophical angle. Highly recommended." (Scientific and Medical Network)
"Quite simply, this is one of the most accessible – and teachable – introductions to the history and philosophy of science I've seen in over two decades of teaching. DeWitt's exposition and discussion – manifestly honed by extensive classroom teaching experience – are exceptionally clear, and helpfully complimented by some of the best diagrams I've seen. DeWitt thus makes complex ideas and developments cogent and straightforward, especially for undergraduates and those approaching the history and philosophy of science for the first time."
—Charles Ess, Drury University
"Richard DeWitt's Worldviews is a splendid introductory text. It is organized around themes – traditions and their overthrow – geared to engage undergraduates. It is historically informed and philosophically sensible. Best of all, it abounds in examples skillfully drawn from the physical sciences and made accessible to the non-specialist. The philosophy of science students encounter through Worldviews will strike them as the philosophy of real science – the science of Newton, Einstein, Copernicus, and Aristotle – and not some denatured surrogate for science concocted by philosophers so that it might succumb to the tools of their trade."
—Laura Ruetsche, University of Pittsburgh

List of figures.
Acknowledgments.
Introduction.
Part I: Fundamental Issues .
1. Worldviews.
2. Truth.
3. Empirical Facts and Philosophical/Conceptual Facts.
4. Confirming and Disconfirming Evidence and Reasoning.
5. The Quine–Duhem Thesis and Implications for Scientific Method.
6. Philosophical Interlude: Problems and Puzzles of Induction.
7. Falsifiability.
8. Instrumentalism and Realism.
Part II: The Transition from the Aristotelian Worldview to the Newtonian Worldview.
9. The Structure of the Universe on the Aristotelian Worldview
10. The Preface to Ptolemy’s Almagest: The Earth as Spherical, Stationary, and at the Center of the Universe.
11. Astronomical Data: The Empirical Facts.
12. Astronomical Data: The Philosophical/Conceptual Facts.
13. The Ptolemaic System.
14. The Copernican System.
15. The Tychonic System.
16. Kepler’s System.
17. Galileo and the Evidence from the Telescope.
18. A Summary of Problems Facing the Aristotelian Worldview.
19. Philosophical and Conceptual Connections in the Development of the New Science.
20. Overview of the New Science and the Newtonian Worldview.
21. Philosophical Interlude: What is a Scientific Law?
22. The Development of the Newtonian Worldview, 1700–1900.
Part III: Recent Developments in Science and Worldviews.
23. The Special Theory of Relativity.
24. The General Theory of Relativity.
25. Overview of the Empirical Facts, Mathematics, and Interpretations of Quantum Theory.
26. Quantum Theory and Locality: EPR, Bell’s Theorem, and the Aspect Experiments.
27. Overview of the Theory of Evolution.
28. Philosophical and Conceptual Implications of Evolution.
29. Worldviews: Concluding Thoughts.
Chapter Notes and Suggested Reading.
References.
Index.