A succinct and engaging introduction for anyone looking to understand how and why science has shaped and changed our view of the world.

Science has made a huge impact on human society over hundred years, but how does it work? How do scientists do the things they do? How do they come up with the theories? How do they test them? How do they use these theories to explain phenomena? How do they draw conclusions from them about how the world might be?

Now updated, this second edition of Philosophy of Science: Key Concepts looks at each of these questions and more. Taking in turn the fundamental theories, processes and views lying at the heart of the philosophy of science, this engaging introduction illuminates the scientific practice and provides a better appreciation of how science actually works. It features:

- Chapters on discovery, evidence, verification and falsification, realism and objectivity
- Accessible overviews of work of key thinkers such as Galileo, Einstein and Mullis
- A new chapter on explanation
- An extended range of easy-to-follow and contemporary examples to help explain more technical ideas
- Study exercises, an annotated bibliography and suggestions of Where to Go Next

Succinct and approachable, Philosophy of Science: Key Concepts outlines some of the most central and important scientific questions, problems and arguments without assuming prior knowledge of philosophy. This enjoyable introduction is the perfect starting point for anyone looking to understand how and why science has shaped and changed our view of the world.

"The greatest strength of this book is the use of illustrations from the history of science and of quotations from scientists, to illuminate the various issues facing those who would like to think clearly about the methods, backing, and legitimacy of the sciences. Beginning students are introduced effectively to the tensions among the articulations of scientific practice by scientists themselves. I expect that this will lead many of them to appreciate the distinctive role of philosophers of science." - Metascience

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In this clearly written, well-organized revision of his Science: Key Concepts in Philosophy (2007), French (philosophy of science, Univ. of Leeds, UK) provides a discussion that is cutting edge in terms of breaking discoveries. He synthesizes knowledge of entire scientific disciplines—physics, astronomy, genetics, biology, math, medicine, chemistry, paleontology, primatology, psychology, and so on—into a coherent, astute account of the whole, presenting the major philosophical concepts of "how science works." He looks at, among much else, how scientific theories are discovered; how they explain phenomena and reality; why, as Alfred North Whitehead said, one cannot know something unless one can measure it; what roles social and political factors play in scientific practice; whether science can ever be purely independent of its social context; the relation between truth, scientific theories, and scientific confirmation; how scientists come to grips with the uncertainty illustrated by the history of changing scientific theories; how social factors in general influence the objectivity of science; and how gender bias impacts science. The best introduction to date to the philosophy of science, the volume includes excellent suggested readings.
Summing Up: Essential. All readers.