| Social Constructivism and the Philosophy of Science Contributor(s): Kukla, André (Author) |
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ISBN: 0415234182 ISBN-13: 9780415234184 Publisher: Routledge OUR PRICE: $171.00 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: May 2000 Annotation: Social constructivists maintain that we invent the properties of the world rather than discover them. Is reality constructed by our own activity? Or, more provocatively, are scientific facts--is "everything"--constructed? "Social Constructivism and the Philosophy of" "Science" is a clear assessment of this critical and increasingly important debate. Andre Kukla presents a comprehensive discussion of the philosophical issues involved and analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of a range of constructivist arguments, illustrating the divide between the sociology and the philosophy of science through examples as varied as laboratory science, time, and criminality. He argues that current philosophical objections to constructivism are drastically inconclusive, while offering and developing new objections. Throughout, Kukla distinguishes between the social causes of scientific beliefs and the view that all ascertainable facts are constructed. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Science | Philosophy & Social Aspects |
| Dewey: 501 |
| LCCN: 00020063 |
| Lexile Measure: 1220 |
| Series: Romantic Tradition in American Literature |
| Physical Information: 0.5" H x 6.14" W x 9.21" (0.96 lbs) 182 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Social constructionists maintain that we invent the properties of the world rather than discover them. Is reality constructed by our own activity? Do we collectively invent the world rather than discover it? Andr Kukla presents a comprehensive discussion of the philosophical issues that arise out of this debate, analysing the various strengths and weaknesses of a range of constructivist arguments and arguing that current philosophical objections to constructivism are inconclusive. However, Kukla offers and develops new objections to constructivism, distinguishing between the social causes of scientific beliefs and the view that all ascertainable facts are constructed. |
