The Nature of Scientific Knowledge: An Explanatory Approach

by Kevin McCain

Preface.- The Importance of Understanding the Nature of Scientific Knowledge.- Part General Features of Knowledge.- The Traditional Account of Knowledge.- Belief.- Truth.- Justification.- Evidence.- Basing a Belief on the Evidence.- A Problem for the Traditional Account of Knowledge.- Part Knowledge of Scientific Claims.- Explanation and Understanding.- From Explanation to Knowledge.- Part Challenges to Scientific Knowledge.- Skepticism about the External World.- Skepticism about Induction.- Empirical Evidence of Irrationality.- Anti-Realism about Science.- Part Social Dimensions of Scientific Knowledge.- Gaining Scientific Knowledge from Others.- Knowledge in a Scientific Community.- Looking Back and Looking Forward.- Notes.- References.- Index.

Genres: Philosophy, Science

292 pages, Paperback

Published June 29, 2016