Philosophy of science Books

Book SynopsisIn a time when the relation of theology to science is in question, due in part to the unwitting fideism of religious fundamentalists and, conversely, as a result of the equally fundamentalist diatribes of the so-called “New Atheists,” How Science Enriches Theology provides a much-needed demonstration of the possibility and necessity for dialogue and integration between the two perspectives or fields of inquiry. Far from being in the unhappy throes of divorce, theology and science must renew their common commitment to the use of reason! This work is written by two formidable thinkers who have each written extensively on the foundations of natural science and related issues – including the inherently evolutionary nature and development of the cosmos. Now they team up to show the fruitful impact of science on theology as a use of reason in the service of Christian faith. In its philosophical or ‘cenoscopic’ foundations, science can support the truths of monotheistic faith and provide a corrective to both materialist and spiritualist forms of monism. Meanwhile, with the advance of science in the modern sense, the special sciences as ‘ideoscopic,’ we can see not only the traces of God’s existence, but of the Trinitarian nature of God, the Divine Persons of the Godhead, as proposed in Christian faith. Make no mistake, the authors are sure to uphold the indemonstrability of Christian-specific doctrines, such as the Trinity and the Incarnation; but, with Augustine and Aquinas, they affirm that creation is rife with traces of the divine. The validity of theology does not reduce to the deliverances of the modern sciences, but the latter can undoubtedly aid the person of faith in the “evolution” of his or her theological understanding and embrace of faith as beyond – but not contrary to – reason properly exercised. For example, the immensity and depth of our universe, as indicated alike by relativity theory and quantum theory, along with the biological, chemical, and physical diversity and dynamic stability contained within the universe’s vast limits, enrich our understanding of God the Father. Our universe’s order, uniqueness, and intelligibility suggest how we may better understand the Divine Logos, Jesus Christ. While further the evolution, freedom, and plenitude of the cosmos reveal the character of God the Holy Spirit. In How Science Enriches Theology, Ashley and Deely present a veritably “theosemiotic picture” of the universe, and one which avoids the naïve reductionisms of mind to matter, culture to society, biology to physics, and cenoscopic to ideoscopic science. But not only do the authors of this stellar book explore the diverse riches of creation’s many nooks and crannies; they do not balk at concluding with the speculative but inevitable question, Where is creation headed?, while also providing a tentative answer to how we might reconcile the inevitable consequences of the Second Law of Thermodynamics with the Book of Revelation’s eschatological promise of a New Heavens and a New Earth.

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Book SynopsisThe William of Moerbeke Translation Series, under the general editorship of Stuart D. Warner, is devoted to publishing translations of important works - ancient, medieval, and modern - regardless of the original language, in every area of scholarly endeavor, including philosophy, political science, theology, literature, history, economics, and law. The aim of the series is to bring the reader as close as possible to the letter and spirit of the original work. Each volume will contain a scholarly introduction and notes. We welcome all inquiries and suggestions. Physics, Or Natural Healing is the first volume of this series.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents a "philosophy of science education" as a research field as well as its value for curriculum, instruction and teacher pedagogy. It seeks to re-think science education as an educational endeavour by examining why past reform efforts have been only partially successful, including why the fundamental goal of achieving scientific literacy after several “reform waves” has proven to be so elusive. The identity of such a philosophy is first defined in relation to the fields of philosophy, philosophy of science, and philosophy of education. It argues that educational theory can support teacher’s pedagogical content knowledge and that history, philosophy and sociology of science should inform and influence pedagogy. Some case studies are provided which examine the nature of science and the nature of language to illustrate why and how a philosophy of science education contributes to science education reform. It seeks to contribute in general to the improvement of curriculum design and science teacher education. The perspective to be taken on board is that to teach science is to have a philosophical frame of mind—about the subject, about education, about one’s personal teacher identity.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents a "philosophy of science education" as a research field as well as its value for curriculum, instruction and teacher pedagogy. It seeks to re-think science education as an educational endeavour by examining why past reform efforts have been only partially successful, including why the fundamental goal of achieving scientific literacy after several “reform waves” has proven to be so elusive. The identity of such a philosophy is first defined in relation to the fields of philosophy, philosophy of science, and philosophy of education. It argues that educational theory can support teacher’s pedagogical content knowledge and that history, philosophy and sociology of science should inform and influence pedagogy. Some case studies are provided which examine the nature of science and the nature of language to illustrate why and how a philosophy of science education contributes to science education reform. It seeks to contribute in general to the improvement of curriculum design and science teacher education. The perspective to be taken on board is that to teach science is to have a philosophical frame of mind—about the subject, about education, about one’s personal teacher identity.

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Book SynopsisThis Handbook constitutes a global resource for the fast-growing interdisciplinary research and policy communities that have taken on the challenge of driving innovation towards socially desirable outcomes. The collection brings together well-known authors from the USA, Europe, Asia and South Africa, developing conceptual and regional perspectives on responsible innovation including issues of governance, economics and ethics. The authors explore the prospects for the further implementation of responsible innovation in emerging technological practices in sectors from agriculture and health-care to nanotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence. The collection emphasises the socio-economic and normative dimensions of innovation, including issues of social risk and sustainability.Trade Review'After 75 years of unprecedentedly promiscuous commitment to untethered scientific and technological advance by the state and industry alike, humanity stands on the threshold of advances in human germline engineering, geoengineering of the Earth's climate, quantum computing, and applications of artificial intelligence that will accelerate our technological capabilities well beyond any capacity to steer them toward greater human benefit and away from greater harm. Racing against this momentum and the trillions of dollars that support it have been a relatively small international community of visionary scholars and practitioners who cumulatively have developed the principles, concepts and tools for assuring the wise and socially accountable governance of technology: responsible innovation. These ideas are neither radical nor utopian; indeed, they are practicable and increasingly well-tested. The International Handbook on Responsible Innovation is thus a guidebook for a shift in stance toward collective accountability for the products and consequences of our own ingenuity.' --Daniel Sarewitz, Arizona State University, US'Beyond its breadth and depth, what is most striking about this volume is how well it navigates between the theoretical and practical dimensions of responsible research and innovation (RRI). The volume thus mirrors RRI's development as simultaneously a subject of ongoing research and a matter of active policymaking, both focused on the governance of science and technology. How should policymakers address the dual demand that the pace of innovation increase to enhance societal benefits, while also advancing deliberately to avoid harming society? This volume provides the latest answers from top RRI researchers and policymakers from around the world. Ranging over the history and theory of RRI, addressing ethics and RRI, detailing the economics underlying RRI, outlining current RRI policies, and looking to the future of RRI, this work will become a classic reference point in the field.' --J. Britt Holbrook, New Jersey Institute of Technology, US'Already impressive in terms of its thematic scope, the diversity of approaches and its global aspiration, this landmark volume is, above all, testament to the coming of age of responsible innovation (RI) as a concept of practical relevance. It contains, amongst other things, illuminating discussions of the notion of responsibility, thought-provoking essays on key questions in RI, and insightful analyses of RI practices in a wide variety of contexts. The messages in bottles, released by the likes of Hans Jonas, John Ziman and the pioneers of the RI community, have obviously been found by many, and probably by many more than the pioneers themselves would have expected. Taken together, the contributions to this collection not only provide a perfect overview on the theory and practices of RI. They also show why RI is not a specialist or merely academic topic but relevant to anyone who cares about the future of our global society.' --Christopher Coenen, Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis (ITAS), GermanyTable of ContentsContents: 1. Introduction to the International Handbook on Responsible Innovation René von Schomberg and Jonathan Hankins 2. Why Responsible Innovation? René von Schomberg Part I CONCEPTS UNDERPINNING RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION Responsibility and Ethics 3. Responsible Innovation: Process and Politics Richard Owen and Mario Pansera 4. Choosing Freedom: Ethical Governance for Responsible Research and Innovation Robert Gianni 5. Towards an Ethics-of-Ethics for Responsible Innovation Vural Özdemir 6. Working Responsibly Across Boundaries? Some Practical and Theoretical Lessons Kjetil Rommetveit, Niels van Dijk, Kristrún Gunnarsdóttir, Kate O’Riordan, Serge Gutwirth, Roger Strand and Brian Wynne Governance 7. Understanding the Movement(s) for Responsible Innovation Miles Brundage and David H. Guston 8. Is Innovation Always Good for You? New Policy Challenges for Research and Innovation Luc Soete 9. First Steps in Understanding the Economic Principles of Responsible Research and Innovation Miklós Lukovics, Benedek Nagy and Norbert Buzás 10. Responsible Research and Innovation in the Broader Innovation System. Reflections on Responsibility in Standardization, Assessment and Patenting Practices. Ellen-Marie Forsberg 11. Dynamics of Responsible Innovation Constitution in European Union Research Policy: Tensions, Possibilities and Constraints. Hannot Rodríguez, Andoni Eizagirre and Andoni Ibarra 12. The Ties that Bind: Collective Experimentation and Participatory Design as Paradigms for Responsible Innovation Alfred Nordmann 13. Engaging the micro-foundations of responsible innovation: integration of social sciences and humanities with research and innovation practices Erik Fisher 14. Responsible Innovation and Technology Assessment in Europe- Barriers and Opportunities for Establishing Structures and Principles of Democratic Science and Technology Policy Leonard Hennen and Linda Nierling Responsible Innovation in Organisations 15. To what Extent Should the Perspective of Responsible Innovation Irrigate the Organization as a Whole? Xavier Pavie 16. From Participation to interruption: Toward an Ethics of Stakeholder Engagement, Participation and Partnership in Corporate Social Responsibility and Responsible Innovation Vincent Blok Part II RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION: BECOMING RESPONSIVE TO THE GLOBAL SOCIETAL CHALLENGES 17. Shared Space and Slow Science in Geoengineering Research Jack Stilgoe 18. Responsible Innovation and Healthy Ageing Ellen H.M. Moors 19. Responsible Innovation and Agricultural Sustainability: Lessons from Genetically Modified Crops Phil Macnaghten 20. Responsible Inclusive Innovation - Tackling Grand Challenges Globally Doris Schroeder and David Kaplan Part III EMBEDDING RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION IN EMERGING TECHNOLOGICAL PRACTICES 21. Embedding Responsible Innovation in Emerging Technological Practices Armin Grunwald 22. From Technology Assessment to Responsible Research and Innovation in Synthetic Biology Dirk Stemerding 23. Responsible Innovation and Public Engagement: What we can Learn from the Case of Nanotechnology Richard A.L. Jones 24. Responsible Innovation in ICT: Challenges for Industry Bernd Carsten Stahl, Elisabetta Borsella, Andrea Porcari and Elvio Mantovani 25. Ethics Management and Responsible Research and Innovation in the Human Brain Project Stephen Rainey, Bernd Stahl, Mark Shaw and Michael Reinsborough 26. Grass-roots Case Studies in ‘Poiesis Intensive’ Responsible Innovation (PIRI) Jonathan Hankins 27. Robotics and Responsible Research and Innovation Pericle Salvini, Erica Palmerini, and Bert-Jaap Koops Part IV REGIONAL PRACTICES 28. Chinese Perspectives on Responsible Innovation Zhao, Yandong and Liao Miao 29. Responsible Innovation: Constructing a Seaport in China Qian Wang and Ping Yan 30. Indian Perspectives on Responsible Innovation and Frugal Innovation Krishna Ravi Srinivas and Poonam Pandey 31. South-East European Perspectives Norbert Buzás and Miklós Lukovics 32. Responsible Innovation in a Culture of Entrepreneurship - a US Perspective Andrew D. Maynard and Elizabeth Garbee 33. Public Engagement as a Potential Responsible Research and Innovation Tool for Ensuring Inclusive Governance of Biotechnology Innovation in Low and Middle Income Countries Pamela Andanda Part V INTERVIEWS 34. Interview with Piero Bassetti, President of Fondazione Giannino Bassetti Sally Randles 35. Interview with Robert Madelin, Ex -Director General and Advisor on Innovation (European Commission) Jan Staman and René von Schomberg 36. Interview with Rob van Leen, Chief Innovation Officer, Head of DSM Innovation Center and Member of the Executive Committee of DSM Jan Staman Index

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Book SynopsisThe major innovations which have occurred between the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century represent a fresh challenge to the responsibility of innovators. Innovators have disrupted, and continue to disrupt the world through the growth of technology, DNA sequencing, genetic engineering, the management of large databases, different forms of intrusion into our private lives, etc. It is up to them take full responsibility for their actions, and question what they are accomplishing, why they are accomplishing it, to what end and with what means. Such questionings are those found in a practice conducted by Ancient philosophers: spiritual exercises. These were internal or external discourses, enabling individuals to act, think, to know how to behave and how to master oneself. It is surely toward these practices innovators of today should turn in order to innovate with wisdom.Table of ContentsForeword vii Acknowledgements xiii Introduction xv Chapter 1. The Need to (Re)think Innovation 1 1.1. The innovation context: how far to innovate? 1 1.2. The innovation discipline 3 1.2.1. From reality to usurpation: the three stages of innovation 3 1.2.2. The three evolutionary stages of innovation 6 1.3. Attempting to expose innovation, the importance of philosophy 16 1.3.1. An objectification of innovation 16 1.3.2. Reducing innovation 18 1.3.3. The future of innovation through its reversal 18 1.4. Philosophy as therapy 22 1.4.1. Modesty in the use of philosophy 22 1.4.2. Healing through philosophy 24 1.4.3. Innovator and philosopher, two sides of the same coin for a new way of being 25 1.5. Towards a thoughtful innovator 27 Chapter 2. The Non-standard Philosophy for Thinking Innovation 29 2.1. Questioning philosophy 29 2.2. What is non-standard philosophy? 30 2.2.1. Non-philosophy 31 2.3. Using non-standard philosophy as a tool to (re)think innovation 34 2.3.1. Innovation in-Real 35 2.3.2. The principle of sufficient innovation 40 2.3.3. Innovation and ego 43 2.4. (Re)thinking innovation, a non-standard innovation? 44 2.4.1. The foundations of non-standard innovation 46 2.4.2. Non-standard innovation practice 50 2.5. “Invent philosophy!”, let’s invent innovation 55 Chapter 3. A Phenomenology of Innovation 59 3.1. Passing through phenomenology 59 3.2. What is phenomenology? 60 3.2.1. Phenomenology and innovation? 62 3.3. Husserlian phenomenology to think innovation? 63 3.3.1. Return to the things themselves 64 3.3.2. Transcendental intentionality 68 3.3.3. The reduction method and the transcendental epoché 71 3.3.4. The emergence of essence 79 3.3.5. Retention 82 3.3.6. The ego as the foundation of the world 84 3.3.7. The phenomenological approach to testing senses 88 3.4. Phenomenology as praxis 90 3.4.1. The practice of phenomenology 92 3.4.2. Towards a practical phenomenology for the innovator 96 3.5. Being aware of innovations 99 Chapter 4. Spiritual Exercises to (Re)think the Innovator 101 4.1. The need for spiritual exercises 101 4.1.1. Spiritual exercises, from ancient philosophy 102 4.1.2. The importance of self-care 108 4.1.3. Knowing how to prepare 113 4.1.4. The conversion obligation 117 4.2. Urgency of the spiritual exercises 123 4.2.1. Spiritual exercises for the contemporary world 123 4.2.2. The need for a master 132 4.3. The spiritual innovator of the 21st Century 137 Conclusion 139 References 155 Index of Names 165 Index of Notions 167

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Book SynopsisBy power of thought alone, Albert Einstein gave us a fresh conception of the universe. He showed us that space and time are elastic - shrinking or expanding, speeding up or slowing down, depending on your movement. Beginning with an inspiring foreword by eminent Professor of Mathematics Sir Roger Penrose, the book is then divided into two parts: a biographical essay that provides a concise overview of Einstein's life, achievements, personal loves and public controversies; and a Q&A dialogue based on rigorous research and incorporating Einstein's actual spoken or written words whenever possible. Research physicist Carlos Calle brings Einstein to life through meticulously researched biographical interpretations of Einstein's revolutionary mathematical work. Relax and chat with this genius as he tells you about his work on relativity, his quest for a grand unifying theory of the cosmos, and personal matters - from the pleasures of sailing and music to his anxieties about the nuclear bomb he had helped unleash.

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Book SynopsisReflections on a Surprising Universe takes the reader beyond the headlines of the latest scientific breakthroughs, translating complicated topics into an understandable narrative. It covers a wide array of scientific developments in clear and concise language sharing a sense of wonder felt by the author about the universe we find ourselves in. The book covers such developments as the size and expansion of the universe, black holes, gravitational waves, the relativity of spacetime, the multiverse, exoplanets and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, DNA, fundamental particles, quantum mechanics and quantum computers, all in an accessible narrative. Do you feel a sense of excitement and awe in learning about both the vastness and intricacies of the world around you? Then let Richard Dieter guide you through the unique synthesis of recent scientific discoveries and what they reveal about us.

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Book SynopsisThis timely book provides an intellectual and conceptual history of a key representation of innovation: technological innovation. Tracing the history of the discourses of scholars, practitioners and policy-makers, and exploring how and why innovation became defined as technological, Benoît Godin studies the emergence of the term, its meaning, and its transformation and use over time. Part I of this unique book offers a genealogy of technological innovation from technological unemployment through technological change and technological progress. Part II then turns to the discourse on technological innovation, asserting that it has emerged as a key term because it serves utilitarian functions. The Invention of Technological Innovation will be of interest to students and academics studying the concepts and theories of innovation, whilst also being a key resource for policy-makers, managers and analysts looking to gain a deeper understanding of the topic.Trade Review‘The Invention of Technological Innovation is a meticulous and seminal work of deftly organized and presented scholarship that is unreservedly recommended for both college and university library collections.’ -- Michael J. Carson, Midwest Book ReviewTable of ContentsContents: PREFACE INTRODUCTION Part I Technological Change 1. Technological Unemployment 2. Technological Change 3. Imagining a New Academic Field 4. Technology and Social Change 5. Technological Progress INTERLUDE Part II Technological Innovation 6. Inventing Technological Innovation 7. Theorists before Theories 8. An Inclusive Notion 9. Theories of Innovation 10. Reinventing Innovation EPILOGUE Index

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Book SynopsisThis timely book explores technological innovation as a concept, dissecting its emergence, development and use. Benoît Godin offers an exciting new historiography of the subject, arguing that the study of innovation originates not from scholars but from practitioners of innovation. Godin looks to engineers, managers, consultants and policymakers as the instigators of our current understanding of technological innovation. Offering a conceptual history of the subject, Part I considers the many iterations of innovation - as an science applied, outcome, process and system - to track and analyse the changing discourses surrounding technological innovation. In Part II, the author turns to historic and contemporary innovation policy to illustrate the critical role that practitioners have had in formulating and strategizing policy. Effectively rewriting the historiography of the topic, this book is critical reading for scholars of innovation studies, sociology and the history of science and technology. Students will benefit from Godin's pioneering approach to the subject and policymakers will also find value in the book's unique insight into innovation.Trade Review'Benoit Godin's The Idea of Technological Innovation is a telling example of the power of intellectual history. In a brief but analytically crisp and extensively documented historical overview, Godin's ''alternative history'' unbundles the seemingly inextricable conceptual and policy linkages between research and development and technological innovation, positing instead that the two stages correspond to two discourses, espoused by two different communities. An invaluable work for multiple research and policy communities, but most especially for those engaged in science policy and innovation studies and the economics of technological innovation.' --Irwin Feller, The Pennsylvania State University, US'Godin's latest book provides new insights into the history of technology innovation. Tracing back the concept's phases of development from the Second World War to the present, he leaves behind a strictly scholarly point of view and focuses on the valuable contributions of practitioners.' --Jürgen Howaldt, TU Dortmund University, GermanyTable of ContentsContents: Introduction 1. Prehistory PART I Technological Innovation 2. Innovation as Science Applied 3. Innovation as Outcome 4. Innovation as Process 5. Innovation as System PART II From Idea to Action 6. Inventing Innovation Policy 7. Innovation Policy Today Conclusion Index

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Book SynopsisThis timely book explores technological innovation as a concept, dissecting its emergence, development and use. Benoît Godin offers an exciting new historiography of the subject, arguing that the study of innovation originates not from scholars but from practitioners of innovation. Godin looks to engineers, managers, consultants and policymakers as the instigators of our current understanding of technological innovation. Offering a conceptual history of the subject, Part I considers the many iterations of innovation - as an science applied, outcome, process and system - to track and analyse the changing discourses surrounding technological innovation. In Part II, the author turns to historic and contemporary innovation policy to illustrate the critical role that practitioners have had in formulating and strategizing policy. Effectively rewriting the historiography of the topic, this book is critical reading for scholars of innovation studies, sociology and the history of science and technology. Students will benefit from Godin's pioneering approach to the subject and policymakers will also find value in the book's unique insight into innovation.Trade Review'Benoit Godin's The Idea of Technological Innovation is a telling example of the power of intellectual history. In a brief but analytically crisp and extensively documented historical overview, Godin's ''alternative history'' unbundles the seemingly inextricable conceptual and policy linkages between research and development and technological innovation, positing instead that the two stages correspond to two discourses, espoused by two different communities. An invaluable work for multiple research and policy communities, but most especially for those engaged in science policy and innovation studies and the economics of technological innovation.' --Irwin Feller, The Pennsylvania State University, US'Godin's latest book provides new insights into the history of technology innovation. Tracing back the concept's phases of development from the Second World War to the present, he leaves behind a strictly scholarly point of view and focuses on the valuable contributions of practitioners.' --Jürgen Howaldt, TU Dortmund University, GermanyTable of ContentsContents: Introduction 1. Prehistory PART I Technological Innovation 2. Innovation as Science Applied 3. Innovation as Outcome 4. Innovation as Process 5. Innovation as System PART II From Idea to Action 6. Inventing Innovation Policy 7. Innovation Policy Today Conclusion Index

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Book SynopsisThe Economics of Scientific Knowledge demonstrates how contemporary economic theories, such as rational choice theory, public choice theory, game theory, and neo-institutionalist economics can be successfully applied to resolve the issues currently existing in science studies and science and technology policy. Yanfei Shi criticizes the sociology of scientific knowledge and the traditional philosophy of science for their failures in justifying science as a rational enterprise. From an economic perspective, he explains why scientific enterprise as a public good is possible if individual scientists are self-interested and presents a new and convincing story of how scientific knowledge is produced in the contemporary society. With professional experience as a policy analyst, Yanfei Shi's economic perspective on scientists and their behaviors, and his institutional analysis will have great implications to the current discussions on science and innovation policy issues. Scholars and students in the fields of economics, philosophy and sociology as well as scientists, administrators and policy analysts will find this book a welcome addition to the literature of the increasingly important field of science studies.Table of ContentsContents: Introduction 1. Toward a Rational Choice Approach to Science: A Theoretical Framework 2. The Scientist as a Scientific Entrepreneur 3. The Scientist as a Scientific Consumer 4. The Scientific Community as an Exchange Organization 5. Towards an Institutional Analysis of Science: A Research Agenda 6. The Distributive Rules of Science 7. The Constitutional Rules of Science 8. The Aggregative Rules of Science Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe Evolution of Scientific Knowledge aims to reach a unique understanding of science with the help of economic and sociological theories. The economic theories used are institutionalist and evolutionary. The sociological theories draw from the type of work on social studies of science that have, in recent decades, transformed our picture of science and technology.Science - and more broadly research - is a field where economics and sociology meet in an attempt to understand how complex organizations emerge and work. While the authors argue that science is neither an institution nor an order that emerged as the result of conscious and willful design, nor is it like a 'normal' market, they also acknowledge that science has aspects of market orders and aspects of orders created by design. Furthermore, science develops in specific ways that are to some extent like the development of economic systems, and at the same time are very different. This fascinating book will be of great interest to economists, philosophers, historians and sociologists by focussing on a multidisciplinary understanding of science.Trade Review'The papers make very interesting and in some cases quite provocative reading. . . anyone interested in different views - any discipline jumper - will profit from the richness of concepts and language in the collection.' -- Gerard de Zeeuw, Entrepreneurship and InnovationTable of ContentsContents: Preface 1. Introduction 2. The Essential Tension in the Social Sciences: Between the ‘Unification’ and ‘Fragmentation’ Traps 3. Residual Categories and the Evolution of Economic Knowledge 4. Evolutionary, Constructivist and Reflexive Models of Science 5. A Neo-Darwinian Model of Science 6. Science and Spontaneously Formed Institutions: An Austrian School Approach 7. An Evolutionary Approach to the Constitutional Theory of the Firm 8. Science as a Spontaneous Order: An Essay in the Economics of Science 9. Must Spontaneous Order be Unintended? Exploring the Possibilities for Consciously Enhancing Creative Discovery and Imaginative Problem-Solving 10. The Laboratory and the Market – On the Production and Interpretation of Knowledge Index

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Book SynopsisBy systematically deconstructing and analysing scientific texts for irrational unconscious motivations, new scientific associations can be produced. Four categories are suggested as guidelines for the analysis of science: metaphors, scientific parapraxes, lacunae, and scientific myths. The most important are the conceptual lacunae, for they constitute an integral part of the scientific construction. Examples from various disciplines are discussed in order to show that unconscious elements in science are a universal phenomenon. The function of scientific myths is explained. And the hypothesis is tested on psychoanalysis itself, in this way providing a full explanation of how and why blind spots block scientific creativity.Trade Review"Stein's book, in the stream of a tradition that is almost lost today, i.e. that of Gaston Bachelard, Louis Althusser and very few others, confronts an extremely interesting challenge: that of analyzing the impact of Freudian unconscious on the scientific creativity processes and on the scientific discourse. The result is a very original and coherent proposal." -- Jorge Canestri, Professor of Psychology at the University of Rome.

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Book SynopsisMany people believe that science provides facts while religion is just opinion or beliefs. This book explores the structure and value of science and religious experience, and demonstrates how similar they are and how equally valuable and valid they are. After defining different forms of knowledge, e.g. biological, personal, moral, religious, the author explains how the structures of both the humanities and the sciences involve what we grasp through our senses, and how we interpret those impressions first by description, then by evidence collected, then by reason and understanding -- all based on the foundation of basic beliefs. One can no more prove scientific theory or that Moses heard God's call, for each is upheld by a believing community. For factual claims are interpretations in both science and religion. In this work, objective science is examined against the subjective world of personal relations, the humanities and religion. Many scientists and religionists acknowledge a hierarchy of different forms of knowledge, e.g. empirical, chemical, personal and religious. Some fundamentalists (both scientific and religious) focus on one form of knowledge, when a range of forms of knowledge would provide a more balanced multi-focal perspective.Trade Review"This is a fascinating read as well as an invaluable resource for students and teachers, a comprehensive account of a vast and complex subject." -- Marianne Rankin, Chair of the Alister Hardy Society, in the BASR Bulletin, 2008.Table of ContentsSources of Uplifting Experiences; How Do We Know What Knowledge Is?: A European Search for Objective Knowledge; How Do We Know What Knowledge Is?: An American Search for Personal Knowledge; Are There Different Kinds of Knowledge?; Changing Views of Scientific Knowledge; The Integrity of Science; Forgotten Knowledge; Is All Knowledge Relative?; Religion and Transcendence; Religious and Mystical Experience Empirical Studies; Religious and Mystical Experience Humanist Studies; Religious and Mystical Experience The Model Builders; Religious Experience and Interpretation; Religious Experience; Philosophy and Religious Experience; Gathering Threads; The Wallas Models of Religious Experience in Context; Science and Religious Experience; Glossary; Index.

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Book SynopsisMany people believe that science provides facts while religion is just opinion or beliefs. This book explores the structure and value of science and religious experience, and demonstrates how similar they are and how equally valuable and valid they are. After defining different forms of knowledge, e.g. biological, personal, moral, religious, the author explains how the structures of both the humanities and the sciences involve what we grasp through our senses, and how we interpret those impressions first by description, then by evidence collected, then by reason and understanding -- all based on the foundation of basic beliefs. One can no more prove scientific theory or that Moses heard God's call, for each is upheld by a believing community. For factual claims are interpretations in both science and religion. In this work, objective science is examined against the subjective world of personal relations, the humanities and religion. Many scientists and religionists acknowledge a hierarchy of different forms of knowledge, e.g. empirical, chemical, personal and religious. Some fundamentalists (both scientific and religious) focus on one form of knowledge, when a range of forms of knowledge would provide a more balanced multi-focal perspective.Trade Review"This is a fascinating read as well as an invaluable resource for students and teachers, a comprehensive account of a vast and complex subject." -- Marianne Rankin, Chair of the Alister Hardy Society, in the BASR Bulletin, 2008.Table of ContentsSources of Uplifting Experiences; How Do We Know What Knowledge Is?: A European Search for Objective Knowledge; How Do We Know What Knowledge Is?: An American Search for Personal Knowledge; Are There Different Kinds of Knowledge?; Changing Views of Scientific Knowledge; The Integrity of Science; Forgotten Knowledge; Is All Knowledge Relative?; Religion and Transcendence; Religious and Mystical Experience Empirical Studies; Religious and Mystical Experience Humanist Studies; Religious and Mystical Experience The Model Builders; Religious Experience and Interpretation; Religious Experience; Philosophy and Religious Experience; Gathering Threads; The Wallas Models of Religious Experience in Context; Science and Religious Experience; Glossary; Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book explores an evolutionary theory of scientific knowledge, and provides the basis for a new linguistic approach to methodology.Including an original essay by the late Thomas Kuhn, this volume takes inspiration from his work in history and the philosophy of sciences. The authors highlight the critical importance of the relationship between the process of learning a language and translation, and use this to examine scientific language and interpretation. They also analyse the relationship between grammatical structure and theoretical communication in science and apply their findings to the rhetoric of Smith and Keynes. They assess the pragmatical dimension of language in the construction of knowledge, and examine its role in explaining economic behaviour and in interpreting the relationship between economics and philosophy. Finally, the authors analyse the relationship between incommensurable standards and translation from the point of view of the logical structure of lexicon, and examine the traditional theme of the 'unity of science' across the whole spectrum of humanities and the social sciences.Table of ContentsContents: Preface Part I: Incommensurability, Translation and Theory Change Part II: Communicating Science Part III: Cognition and Formal Reconstruction Part IV: Lexicon and Semantics Index

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Book SynopsisThis open access textbook offers a practical guide into research ethics for undergraduate students in the social sciences. A step-by-step approach of the most viable issues, in-depth discussions of case histories and a variety of didactical tools will aid the student to grasp the issues at hand and help him or her develop strategies to deal with them. This book addresses problems and questions that any bachelor student in the social sciences should be aware of, including plagiarism, data fabrication and other types of fraud, data augmentation, various forms of research bias, but also peer pressure, issues with confidentiality and questions regarding conflicts of interest. Cheating, ‘free riding’, and broader issues that relate to the place of the social sciences in society are also included. The book concludes with a step-by-step approach designed to coach a student through a research application process.Table of ContentsIntroduction.- Part I: Perspectives.- Chapter 1. Science.- Chapter 2. Ethics.- Part II: Ethics and Misconduct.- Chapter 3. Plagiarism.- Chapter 4. Fabrication.- Chapter 5. Falsifying.- Part III: Ethics and Trust.- Chapter 6. Confidentiality.- Chapter 7. Science and Society.- Chapter 8. Science and Politics.- Part IV: Forms, Codes and of types Regulations.- Chapter 9. Research Ethics Step by Step.- Appendix.- Indexes.

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Book SynopsisIs everything Information? This is a tantalizing question which emerges in modern physics, life sciences, astronomy and in today’s information and technology-driven society. In Powers of Two expert authors undertake a unique expedition - in words and images - throughout the world (and scales) of information. The story resembles, in a way, the classic Powers of Ten journeys through space: from us to the macro and the micro worlds . However, by following Powers of Two through the world of information, a completely different and timely paradigm unfolds. Every power of two, 1, 2, 4, 8…. tells us a different story: starting from the creation of the very first bit at the Big Bang and the evolution of life, through 50 years of computational science, and finally into deep space, describing the information in black holes and even in the entire universe and beyond…. All this to address one question: Is our universe made of information? In this book, we experience the Information Universe in nature and in our society and how information lies at the very foundation of our understanding of the Universe.From the Foreword by Robbert Dijkgraaf: This book is in many ways a vastly extended version of Shannon’s one-page blueprint. It carries us all the way to the total information content of the Universe. And it bears testimony of how widespread the use of data has become in all aspects of life. Information is the connective tissue of the modern sciences. […] Undoubtedly, future generations will look back at this time, so much enthralled by Big Data and quantum computers, as beholden to the information metaphor. But that is exactly the value of this book. With its crisp descriptions and evocative illustrations, it brings the reader into the here and now, at the very frontier of scientific research, including the excitement and promise of all the outstanding questions and future discoveries.Message for the e-reader of the book Powers of Two The book has been designed to be read in two-page spreads in full screen mode. For optimal reader experience in a downloaded .pdf file we strongly recommend you use the following settings in Adobe Acrobat Reader: - Taskbar: View > Page Display > two page view - Taskbar: View > Page Display > Show Cover Page in Two Page View - Taskbar: ^ Preferences > Full Screen > deselect " Fill screen with one page at a time" - Taskbar: View > Full screen mode or ctrl L (cmd L on a Mac) ***** Note: for reading the previews on Spinger link (and on-line reading in a browser), the full screen two-page view only works with these browsers: Firefox - Taskbar: on top of the text, at the uppermost right you will see then >> (which is a drop-down menu) >> even double pages - Fullscreen: F11 or Control+Cmd+F with Mac Edge - Taskbar middle: Two-page view and select show cover page separatelyTrade Review“The book … a very unusual collection of some facts about the relationship between the immaterial world represented by bits and the real physical world described by fundamental physical equations. This book continues the very categorical point of view of J. A. Wheeler … . The book presents short articles on various areas of modern science … in which it is shown that in these areas in some mysterious way there is a connection with the theory of information.” (Vladimir Dzhunushaliev, zbMATH 1479.83004, 2022)Table of ContentsForeword by Robbert DijkgraafChapter 0: IntroductionJoy-riding the Universe – by the authorWorking as an astronomer, data scientist and professor of astro-informatics for nearly fifty years, Edwin Valentijn has witnessed and first-hand engineered the dawn of the era of Big Data in science and society. Throughout his career, he became increasingly aware of the role of information in our world: in computers, in our society, and even in nature and in the Universe itself.The Information UniverseFollowing the increasing powers of two, the story paints a journey through the whole world of information, both in society and in nature. Each step opens a door into a new world: from the first bits with the Big Bang and the dawn of life, going through fifty years of human technology, all the way up to the information content of the whole Universe.What is Information? - Item pageThe basics of information are introduced.Chapter 1: The beginningSpace-time foam – Ti (0 bit: 20 =1)The very first power of two: 20, corresponds to the value one. This identifies the single, eternal, indistinguishable state: the primordial sea from which our Universe emerged – sometimes called the Space-time foam. I call this Ti, the reverse of It. This is one of the miraculous new notions in the story of the Powers of Two.Multiverse: Anthropic principle (Item page)From Ti, the primordial space-time foam, countless universes arise with widely different characteristics: the Multiverse. The Anthropic Principle is a philosophical consideration which states that we, people, will find ourselves in a universe that is suitable for intelligent life to emerge. Therefore, this Principle demonstrates that conditions in our Universe are not “fine-tuned” to the existence of human life and a “creator” doesn’t exist.Big bang (1 bit: 21 =2 states)At the Big Bang the first bit is created. From the indistinguishable unity of the primordial foam Ti, “the zeros were separated from the 1’s”: the first bit corresponds to two possible states. This bit is the first step on our journey to capture the ever-increasing complexity of our expanding Universe in terms of information, through the increasing powers of two.What is a bit? (Item page)The bit is at the core of the concept of information. A bit is any system that can have two states. Humans assign meanings to these states, which are illustrated with the concept of the traffic light: red or green, stop or go. The combination of multiple bits creates an exponentially increasing number of possible states, and hence meanings.Multicellular life (2 bit: 22 =4 states) / (4 bit: 24 =16 states)?Life started with exchanging information between cells. This is fundamental for the evolution of any kind of life. It took at least two billion years for uni-cellular to evolve into multi-cellular organisms around 600 million years ago, and to start the exchange of information between their different cells. By exchanging information, cells collaborate and act as a unified whole: life.The game of life (Item page)The characteristic features of life (or any complex system in the Universe) can be created from information. A simple computer game is all you need to demonstrate this concept. A famous example is Conway's Game of Life, which is full of visuals of living, growing, moving and dying objects. This game was already made on the computers of the early 70's with just a few lines of code.Chapter 2: People's Information UniverseASCII (7 bit: 27 =128 states)There is currently no physical theory how the digital world connects to the human consciousness. In the world of Information Technology (IT) all information exchange is based on agreements between people. For instance, ASCII, a simple list relating each letter of the alphabet to a 7-bit string, connects the digital world to the human consciousness. Machu Picchu (8 bit: 28 =256, 1 byte)The Intiwatana stone, a giant rock carved by the Inca's of ancient Machu Picchu in Peru, can be considered as a first 8-bit hard disk. Why so? As the sunrays lit the different surfaces of this huge rock throughout the year, it triggered the Inca's activities: sowing, harvesting, celebrating and praying.This ancient stone dissolves both the boundaries between heaven and earth, and those between the digital and natural Information Universe. In fact, the stone represents an ultimate picture of the cross-over between the in vivo and the in vitro Information Universe - a main theme of the book. In vitro being the man made technology to handle information and in vivo being the information built in nature, in this case the orbit and the light rays of the sun.First computers (16 bit: 216 =65.536, 2 byte)When computers emerged in the 1970's, astronomers first adopted them to steer their telescopes. Back then, a maximal effort to understand the mathematics of the problem was needed to squeeze the solution into the small computer memory. Nowadays, with large amounts of computing power and machine learning at their disposal, scientists and computer programmers often do the reverse.Star Peace vs. Star Wars (Item page)King Juan Carlos adored the harmony of galaxies as a source of inspiration for people on earth, in those days when Ronald Reagan was promoting his Star-wars programme. With this adoration in mind, in 1985, he gave an inspiring speech at the Royal inauguration of the international astronomical observatory on La Palma, Canary Islands. The inauguration was attended by, for those days, an unprecedented large crowd of European royals and government officials despite the great threat of terrorist attacks by the ETA. (the next and later spreads on facts vs fakes elucidate the relevance of this spread in the story line).Pre-internet Facts and Fakes (Item page)“Edwin Valentijn saved the life of the Dutch Queen Beatrix by catching her just before falling off a cliff at the inauguration on La Palma”, according to the headlines in Dutch newspapers. Fake news-stories are at all times alike and can only be dispelled by tracing links of information to their source, links or associations being a fundamental property of the Information Universe. Later, I discuss the less innocent case of overdrawing attention to terrorist attacks in the past decade.Hard disk (24 bit: 224 =1.6*107, 2 Mb)Only sixty years ago, a 5 MB hard disk weighed over five tons, and had to be loaded onto an aeroplane by using a truck. Now, we carry a thousand times more information in our trouser pocket. This demonstrates the amazing advance of information technology over the past decades. (Picture: first IBM hard disk loaded onto a plane).The telephone (Item page) As a precursor of the Internet, the telephone offered many of the same advantages and dangers, and was heavily discussed at its introduction. Whether telephone or the Internet, it all revolves around communication or copying of information. The telephone, as example of it, is one of the major discoveries of the 20th century. DNA (32 bit: 232 = 4*109, 500 Mb) – Guest author: Charley Lineweaver The information in the DNA creates life. All base pairs of the human DNA can be stored on a 500 Mb drive. How is this information communicated? How does a cell know it has to build part of a liver and not an eye, while they all have the same DNA? Apoptosis and the role of information exchange.Where does biological Information come from? (Item page) – Guest author: Charley Lineweaver Charley Lineweaver, expert on evolutionary biology, exoplanetology and astrobiology, will expand on the role of information in the evolution of life.Lifelines (Item page) – Guest author: Morris SwertzWhat is the role of nature versus that of nurture? A key question in modern health research. In Lifesciences, this question is addressed now using Big Data, like the astronomers who acquire huge data volumes to address the same question on the nature of galaxies. In Lifelines, a cohort of 165.000 people is studied over a period of 30 years using hospital data, blood samples and DNA scans.DVD (33 bit: 233 =9*109, 1 Gb)It’ s amazing how fast the digital image revolution went since 1989.30 years ago, Philips lab approached me since they had made a big discovery: it was possible to store many digital images on a CD. They were chasing me for digital images. While NASA had less than a thousand, I had 32.000 galaxy images obtained by scanning photographic plates from the European Southern Observatory – the first large digital image collection.Human Brain (36 bit: 236 =7*1010, 9 Gb) – Guest author: Katrin Amunts- JulichIn the large EU human brain project, the activities of the human brain are simulated in computers. This is a very difficult mission since the transistors in computers consume 100.000 billion times more energy than the synapsis of neurons. Our brains consist of 1011 neurons, corresponding to 9 Gb of data.Thinking of Karlheinz Meier, coordinator of the Human Brain Project in Heidelberg, Katrin Amunts will author two spreads on the role of information in the human brain.Neuromorphic computing – Guest author: Katrin AmuntsCurrently, it takes a hundred years of a supercomputer’s time to compete with the learning power of only a single day of the human brain. “Neuromorphic computing” researchers design electronic systems inspired by the human brain, in order to make computers many times faster and more energy efficient.CT scan (38 bit: 238 =3*1011, 34 Gb) – Guest author: Anders YnnermanNow it is possible to look inside animal and human bodies on touchscreens. Forensic investigations on, for instance, corpses of victims can be done with touch-screen tables. You can look inside, rotate, scroll and zoom animal and human bodies using tens of gigabytes of CT scan data. Prof. Anders Ynnerman explains how he does it.Terabytes (45 bit: 245 =4.4*1012, 1 Tb) - The largest (astronomical) datasetsDark energy and dark matter: two mysterious constituents of our Universe. How do astronomers get and handle the data from the VLT Survey Telescope on a high mountain top in Chile to shed lights on these ‘still too dark’ topics. This Telescope surveys the sky every hour at night generating Terabytes of astronomical data.Gravity as a lens (Item page) – Guest author: Margot BrouwerWhen light rays are bent by the gravity of a heavy object, this object acts as a lens. This effect can be used to map dark matter, which is invisible but constitutes 80% of the matter in our visible Universe. In 1915, Albert Einstein posed that gravity is equivalent to the curvature of the fabric of space and time itself, leading to the lensing effect.Weak gravitational lensing surveys – Guest author: Margot BrouwerTerabytes of astronomical data are reduced to a few numbers, describing how dark matter behaves and what is its true nature. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCyYGWqCmFw&t=23sEntering the Petabyte regime (53 bit: 253 =1*1015, 1 Pb)How do we technically acquire and deal with Petabytes of data?Dark Matter maps (Item page)A first dark matter map projected on the night sky. An ultimate encounter between the digital world of modern astronomical observations, and nature: the mysterious dark matter mapped on top of the everyday “night” stellar sky. A visualization that condenses Terabytes of astronomical data to a simple map.Metadata for Peta-data (62 bit: 262 =6*1017, 600 Pb)With pointers, one can connect everything in the Information Universe. Pointers are often inserted in Metadata (data about data) - an ultimate tool for dealing with Big Data. It is possible to create unique pointers to hundreds of Petabytes of data, using a string of less than 64 bits. This is what makes pointers so powerful and indispensable in current and future stages of the big data era; not only for astronomical research, but also for companies like Google, Amazon and Facebook.Downloading the Universe (Item page)The universe can be seen as a spreadsheet, certainly in the way we map it on our computers (in vitro), but also in nature (in vivo). Perceiving the Universe as a spreadsheet links bit to It.Meta data (Item page)A visualisation of the enormous complexity of data models which trace all pointers between data items. (picture: thrilling still from a full dome animation of a data model)Future (astronomical) datasets (item page)While current telescopes collect astronomical datasets of Terabytes, future telescopes such as the LSST and the Euclid satellite, instead, will collect Petabytes. These enormous amounts of data need a whole new approach to data management. For the Euclid satellite my “Universe as a spreadsheet” approach has been adopted.The Euclid satellite (Item page) – Guest author: Margot BrouwerEuclid is ESA’s new space mission to map the Dark Universe. At a distance of 1.5 million kilometres from Earth, this telescope will observe billions of galaxies. Its goal: to shed light on the nature of Dark Matter and Dark Energy, which make up 95% of our Universe. Dr. Margot Brouwer, Dutch scientific communication officer for Euclid, will explain more.The Information Universe (Item page)The resemblance of the overall structure of the real observed Universe (in vivo) with the simulated universe (in vitro), based on the concurrent cosmological model, gave a lot of credit to the latter. When we zoom out the Universe, we see billions of galaxies forming a web-like structure. Amazingly, astronomers can now compute and simulate these structures with very large supercomputers.The lost boy (Item page)Information is timeless, and knows no boundaries. It crosses over the in vivo and the in vitro Information Universe. This concept is well illustrated through daily life stories involving time. At the age of five, a boy loses sight of his older brother on a train in India, and eventually gets lost on the streets of Mumbai. Twenty years later, after being adopted by a family in Australia, he is able to find his natural mother (in vivo) through only searching on Google maps (in vitro).Qbits (50 qbit: 250 =1.1*1015 qbit, 1 Pbit) – Guest author: Lieven VandersypenUsing fundamental particles (quanta, such as electrons) to perform calculations and build computers, is one of the most exciting cross-overs between the in vivo and the in vitro Information Universe. Prof. Lieven Vandersypen, who leads a Quantum Computing group at TU Delft in the Netherlands, will explain how this technology will change the way we compute.Quantum entanglement (Item page) – Guest author: Lieven VandersypenThe states of two particles can be intimately linked (entangled), no matter how far they are separated. What Einstein famously dismissed as “spooky action at a distance”, can now be established on demand at TU Delft in the Netherlands. Prof. Vandersypen will explain how his research group, for the first time ever, both create and apply this entanglement in laboratory.Entanglement (item page) - EVThe Square Kilometre Array (64 bit: 264 =1.3*1018, 1 Eb) – Guest author: TBAThe Square Kilometre Telescope will collect data at the rate of the global internet traffic of 2013, in its endeavour to answer fundamental questions about the origin and evolution of the Universe, and its search for extra-terrestrial life.Cryptography (128 bit: 2128 =3.4*1038) – Guest author Tanja LangeEncrypted messages should not be decoded by adversaries, be they criminals or hostile countries. Cryptography enables secure communications and is one of the few applications which require 128-bit numbers. A guest author will explain more.Chapter 3: Deep spaceThe Desert (128-256 bit) Theoretical physics is not progressing much in the last decennia – some call it a crisis. Likely, an observational breakthrough is out of reach: the highest man-made information density on earth is produced by the high energy accelerators at CERN. But these accelerators have to be 1013 -1015 more powerful to reach the fundamental unit of information, which is probably at the same level of the Planck length. Unfortunately, there is no way to reach this unit of information with these instruments. This enormous gap in reaching all the domains in the Information Universe is illustrated in a figure and in a very sobering, but instructive table in the Appendix.Black holes (128-256 bit?) – Guest author: Manus VisserCan information disappear into a black hole? The Information paradox. Stephen Hawking wondered it and started a field in which space and time are described in terms of information. Dr. Manus Visser, expert on gravity and space-time, will explain more.Observing a Black Hole: Event Horizon Telescope – Guest author: Heino FalckeThe first image of a black hole. Prof. Heino Falcke, chair of the Event Horizon Telescope Science Council, will explain how information from a world-wide network of telescopes was combined using atomic clocks, to create the first ever image of a black hole. (Picture: first image of a black hole)Cogwheels: a deeper level – Guest author: Gerard 't HooftNobel laureate ‘t Hooft explains his views on cogwheels, carrying the fundamental information in the Universe.Gravitational waves – Guest author: Chris van den BroeckLinks: The Universe as a spreadsheetLinks, joins, references, URLs, blockchain, associations and even entanglement in physics are all different words for the same building block, forming the connections in the Information Universe.Cosmic Microwave Background – Guest author: Margot BrouwerParticles of light created in the hot and dense state of the Universe after the Big Bang are still flying through the Universe today. Together, these 1077 photons contain the largest amount of information known in the Universe. This information can still be accessed through telescopes, and brings us invaluable information about the dawn of our Universe.Emergent Gravity – Guest author: Erik VerlindeProf. Erik Verlinde, professor of theoretical physics at the University of Amsterdam, won the Spinoza prize for his new theory explaining gravity. In his theory, all matter, space and time consist of information and are all connected by entanglement. If this theory is correct, the information content of the entire Universe is 2399. This is the highest power described in this book, and actually, in physics.Chapter 4: It from BitOne big information processing machine – Guest author: Gerard 't Hooft (TBC)t Hooftt Hooft: : ““there is something happening at a different level of nature”there is something happening at a different level of nature”..On the origin of physical information. – Guest author: Stefano GottardiThe ear In the ear information is copied a dozen times!The eye – on the visual perception of data- climate change. Links to - facts and fakes- the system of ScienceThe System of ScienceHow does this system work? Discussing Hegel’s system of science, logic, technology, Nature, life, physics, consciousness.Artificial IntelligenceThe machine learning and the data-base oriented communities are still living on different planets. I discuss and revisit Tegmark’s recent book Life 3.0 by comparing 3 crosscuts through the Information Universe: i) the classical computer centric view ii) the data centric view iii) the artificial intelligence view.Information densityThe average information density of the universe can be compared to that of written text.Black Body radiation On the information aspects of the third big physical breakthrough of the 20th century (next to General relativity and quantum mechanics).EntropyDiscussing Shannon’s work and identifying that “Information only exists in relation to its environment”. Examples will be given.Cosmic information, cosmogenesis and dark energy by PadmanabhanCosmic information connects the cosmological constant to cosmogenesisIt from BitIs the Universe one big information processing machine?ConsciousnessVery little is known about the consciousness and I refrain from addressing the consciousness per se. A relevant list of about 5 facts we do know are listed. Any view on the relation between the consciousness and the Information Universe should at least deal with this list.Somnium – Musician Jacco Gardner performing at DOTLiveplanetarium at Eurosonic 2019 show case music festival- Inspired by Kepler’s Somnium – directed by EV The Information UniverseAn overview.Facts and fakesHow is all this related to the current facts and fakes issues on the Internet? How do you make sure that what you are reading is accurate and comes from a reliable source?The link between Open Science, FAIR and reliability of data.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides both an introduction to the philosophy of scientific modeling and a contribution to the discussion and clarification of two recent philosophical conceptions of models: artifactualism and fictionalism. These can be viewed as different stances concerning the standard representationalist account of scientific models. By better understanding these two alternative views, readers will gain a deeper insight into what a model is as well as how models function in different sciences.Fictionalism has been a traditional epistemological stance related to antirealist construals of laws and theories, such as instrumentalism and inferentialism. By contrast, the more recent fictional view of models holds that scientific models must be conceived of as the same kind of entities as literary characters and places. This approach is essentially an answer to the ontological question concerning the nature of models, which in principle is not incompatible with a representationalist account of the function of models. The artifactual view of models is an approach according to which scientific models are epistemic artifacts, whose main function is not to represent the phenomena but rather to provide epistemic access to them. It can be conceived of as a non-representationalist and pragmatic account of modeling, which does not intend to focus on the ontology of models but rather on the ways they are built and used for different purposes. The different essays address questions such as the artifactual view of idealization, the use of information theory to elucidate the concepts of abstraction and idealization, the deidealization of models, the nature of scientific fictions, the structural account of representation and the ontological status of structures, the role of surrogative reasoning with models, and the use of models for explaining and predicting physical phenomena.Table of ContentsChapter 1. Introduction: Theories, Models, and Scientific Representations (Alejandro Cassini and Juan Redmond).- Chapter 2. An Artifactual Perspective on Idealization: Constant Capacitance and the Hodgkin and Huxley Model (Natalia Carrillo and Tarja Knuuttila).- Chapter 3. Informative Models: Idealization and Abstraction (Mauricio Suárez and Agnes Bolinska).- Chapter 4. Deidealized Models (Alejandro Cassini).- Chapter 5. Scientific Representation as Ensemble-Plus-Sanding-for: A Moderate Fictionalist Account (José A. Díez).- Chapter 6. Seven Myths About the Fiction View of Models (Roman Frigg and James Nguyen).- Chapter 7. Bridging the Gap: The Artefactual View Meets the Fiction View of Models (Fiora Salis).- Chapter 8. Models as Hypostatizations: The Case of Supervaluationism in Semantics (Manuel García-Carpintero).- Chapter 9. Structural Representation and the Ontology of Models (Otávio Bueno).- Chapter 10. Representation and Surrogate Reasoning: A Proposal from Dialogical Pragmatism (Juan Redmond).- Chapter 11. Prediction and Explanation by Theoretical Models:An Instrumentalist Stance (Andrés Rivadulla).- Chapter 12. Commented Bibliography on Models and Idealizations (Alejandro Cassini).- Name Index.- Subject Index.-

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Book SynopsisThis book explores the premise that a physical theory is an interpretation of the analytico–canonical formalism. Throughout the text, the investigation stresses that classical mechanics in its Lagrangian formulation is the formal backbone of theoretical physics. The authors start from a presentation of the analytico–canonical formalism for classical mechanics, and its applications in electromagnetism, Schrödinger's quantum mechanics, and field theories such as general relativity and gauge field theories, up to the Higgs mechanism.The analysis uses the main criterion used by physicists for a theory: to formulate a physical theory we write down a Lagrangian for it. A physical theory is a particular instance of the Lagrangian functional. So, there is already an unified physical theory. One only has to specify the corresponding Lagrangian (or Lagrangian density); the dynamical equations are the associated Euler–Lagrange equations. The theory of Suppes predicates as the main tool in the axiomatization and examples from the usual theories in physics. For applications, a whole plethora of results from logic that lead to interesting, and sometimes unexpected, consequences.This volume looks at where our physics happen and which mathematical universe we require for the description of our concrete physical events. It also explores if we use the constructive universe or if we need set–theoretically generic spacetimes.Trade Review“This book is a compilation, ‘an essay’, of the bulk of their work from 1990 to the present. This 191 page essay includes some historical background and lots of snippets and parts of da Costa and Doria’s work on the meta-mathematics of mathematical physics. It starts with a primer on graduate-level basic physics … ending with a consideration of hypercomputation.” (Deborah Konkowski, zbMATH 1494.00005, 2022)Table of ContentsForeword1. PreliminaryPart I. Physics: A Primer2. Classical mechanics3. Variational calculus4. Lagrangian formulation5. Hamilton’s equations6. Hamilton–Jacobi theory7. Where the action is8. From classical to quantum9. Field theory10. Electromagnetism11. Special relativity12. General relativity13. Gauge field theoriesPart II. Axiomatics14. Axiomatizations in ZFCPart III. Technicalities15. HierarchiesPart IV. More applications16. Arnol’d’s 1974 problems17. Forcing and gravitation18. Economics and ecology.Part V. Computer science19. Fast–growing functionsPart VI. Hypercomputation20. HypercomputationReferences

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Book SynopsisThis authoritative volume presents a detailed analysis of the replication crisis and the use of questionable research practices (QRPs) in psychology, as well as recommended practices for combatting these problems. Ultimately, the book aims to provide a comprehensive, current, and accessible account of the adverse effects of QRPs.The replication crisis in psychology and allied fields has exposed critical flaws in the standard views of research methods, which allow for extensive flexibility in data analysis by investigators and permit the widespread use of QRPs. Chapters examine the intentional use of QRPs such as data fabrication and falsification, along with subtler, unintentional practices such as p-hacking and HARKING (hypothesizing after results are known). Drawing on the growing awareness of these problems, contributors also highlight potential strategies to detect QRPs and minimize their negative impact through open data practices, preregistration of hypotheses and analyses, and adversarial collaborations, in which investigators holding opposing positions on a scientific issue agree to work together on a study in an effort to counteract their respective biases. Among the topics covered: History of controversies in statistics and replication Embracing intellectual humility while designing research Confirmatory vs. exploratory analyses Publication bias and negative results Promoting honest and transparent report writing Avoiding Questionable Research Practices in Applied Psychology provides a deeper understanding of how QRPs impede the reliability and trustworthiness of findings in psychology and the social sciences. It will be a practical, useful resource for students and instructors in graduate and advanced undergraduate level research methods classes, along with psychological researchers interested in improving their own research. Table of Contents1. What are Questionable Research Practices?.- 2. The Logic of Research and Questionable Research Methods.- 3. Heuristics and Biases, Intellectual Humility, and Research Design.- 4. History of Replication Failures in Psychology.- 5. P Hacking.- 6. Methods of Detecting QRPs, Such as p curve Analysis.- 7. Controversies Regarding Null Hypothesis Testing.- 8. HARKING and Confirmatory vs. Exploratory Analyses.- 9. History of Statistical Controversies.- 10. Publication Bias and Negative Results.- 11. Power Analysis and Underpowered Studies.- 12. Controversies in Single Subject Designs.- 13. Ignoring Problematic Psychometrics.- 14. Honest and Transparent Report Writing.- 15. Effect Size Measurement.- 16. Pre-registration Models.- 17. Adversarial Research.- 18. Open Data.- 19. Replication Project.- 20. Summary: Designing, Conducting, and Reporting Research.

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Book SynopsisThis open access book offers new insights into the Venetian physician Sanctorius Sanctorius (1561–1636) and into the origins of quantification in medicine. At the turn of the seventeenth century, Sanctorius developed instruments to measure and quantify physiological change. As trivial as the quantitative assessment of health issues might seem to us today – in times of fitness trackers and smart watches – it was highly innovative at that time. With his instruments, Sanctorius introduced quantitative research into the field of physiology. Historical accounts of Sanctorius and his work tend to tell the story of a genius who, almost out of the blue, invented a new medical science, based on measurement and quantification, that profoundly influenced modernity. Abandoning the “genius narrative,” this book examines Sanctorius and his work in the broader perspective of processes of knowledge transformation in early modern medicine. It is the first systematic study to include the entire range of the physician’s intellectual and practical activities. Adopting a material culture perspective, the research draws on the contemporary reconstruction of Sanctorius’s most famous instrument: the Sanctorian weighing chair. And here it departs from past studies that focus mainly on Sanctorius’s thinking rather than on his making and doing. The book also re-evaluates Sanctorius’s role in the wider process of the early transformation of medical culture in the early modern period, a process that ultimately led to the abandonment of Galenic medicine and to the introduction of a new medical science, based on the use of quantification and measurement in medical research. The book is therefore an important contribution to the history of medicine and historical epistemology aimed at historians of science and philosophy.Table of ContentsAcknowledgements.- Preface (Dr. Matteo Valleriani).- Introduction.- List of Figures.- Abbreviations and Short Titles.- Chapter 1. Sanctorius Sanctorius—Between Koper and Venice.- Chapter 2. Sanctorius’s Galenism.- Chapter 3. Sanctorius’s Work in its Practical Context.- Chapter 4. Quantification in Galenic Medicine.- Chapter 5. Quantification and Certainty.- Chapter 6. The Measuring Instruments.- Chapter 7. Sanctorius Revisited.- List of Appendices.

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Book SynopsisThis book provides a comprehensive investigation into the concept of typicality and its significance for physics and the philosophy of science. It identifies typicality as a fundamental way of reasoning, central to how natural laws explain and are tested against phenomena. The book discusses various applications of typicality to foundational questions in physics and beyond.These include: a unified interpretation of objective probabilities in classical mechanics and quantum mechanics a detailed discussion of Boltzmann's statistical mechanics, entropy, and the second law of thermodynamics a novel account of the asymmetry of causation and the arrow of time Finally, the book turns to the question: "What are laws of nature"? It argues that typicality extends to a powerful way of reasoning in metaphysics that can and should inform our commitments about the fundamental ontology of the world. On this basis, it develops an argument against the Humean best system account, according to which laws of nature are merely an efficient summary of contingent regularities. Table of Contents1. Introduction.- Part I: Probability.- 2. Typicality in Probability Theory.- 3. Cournot’s Principle.- 4. A Typicality Theory of Probability.- 5. The Mentaculus: Typicality versus Humean Chances.- 6. The Structure of Typicality.- Part II: Physics.- 7. From the Universe to Subsystems.- 8. Boltzmann’s Statistical Mechanics.- 9. It’s Complicated: The Relationship of Physics and Mathematics.- 10. Boltzmann Equation and the H-theorem.-11. Past Hypothesis and the Arrow of Time.-12. Causality and the Arrow of Time.-13. Quantum Mechanics.- Part III: Beyond Physics.-14. Other Applications of Typicality.-15. Special Science Laws.-16. Typicality and the Metaphysics of Laws.- Appendix A Time-reversal Invariance.- Appendix B Proof of Theorems

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Book SynopsisIntroduction (Manuel Gustavo Isaac, Steffen Koch, & Kevin Scharp).- 1 How language teaches and misleads: ‘Coronavirus’ and ‘social distancing’ as case studies (Ethan Landes).- 2 Psychiatric kinds and the DSM: Notes from a conceptual building site (Rachel Cooper).- 3 Conceptual engineering of medical concepts (Elisabetta Lalumera).- 4 Rethinking the ocean: Conceptual engineering for the next 10000 years (Roberto Casati, Sacha Bourgeois-Gironde, Emilie Flamme, Alberto Gallace, Quentin Hiernaux, Stefano Malatesta, Marcella Schmidt di Friedberg, Enrico Squarcina, Colomban de Vargas, Eva Wanek).- 5 Conceptual engineering, semantic tolerance, and flexibility (Genoveva Martí & Lorena Ludeña-Ramírez).- 6 Labeling unlabeled identities (Katherine Ritchie).- 7 Conspiracy theories are not theories: Time to rename conspiracy theories (Kevin Reuter & Lucien Baumgartner).

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Book SynopsisChapter 1. INTRODUCTION.- PART I: IMMANENCE, METAPHYSICS AND GIVENNESS.- Chapter 2. Different Conceptions of Immanence.- Chapter 3. Immanence without Givenness.- PART II: OUTLINE OF A FRACTURED IMMANENT ONTOLOGY.- Chapter 4. Toward a Process Nominalist Ontology.- Chapter 5. Nominalism, Emergence and Process.- Chapter 6. A Novel Account of Grounding.- PART III: NORMATIVE SPACES, HYPERSTITION AND PROCESS.- Chapter 7. Norms and Facts as Fractured Projections of Processual Reality.- Chapter 8. Normativity as a Hyperstitional Dynamic Regime PART.- PART IV: FREEDOM AND POLITICS IN AN IMMANENTLY FRACTURED WORLD.- Chapter 9. Fractured Freedom and the Emancipatory Force of Universals.- Chapter 10. The Politics of Fractured Immanence.

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Book SynopsisThis textbook introduces the reader to basic problems in the philosophy of science and ethics, mainly by means of examples from medicine. It is based on the conviction that philosophy, medical science, medical informatics, and medical ethics are overlapping disciplines. It claims that the philosophical lessons to learn from the twentieth century are not that nature is a ‘social construction’ and that ‘anything goes’ with respect to methodological and moral rules. Instead, it claims that there is scientific knowledge, but that it is never completely secure; that there are norms, but that they are situation-bound; and that, therefore, it makes good sense to search for scientific truths and try to act in a morally decent way. Using philosophical catchwords, the authors advocate ‘fallibilism’ and ‘particularism’; a combination that might be called ‘pragmatic realism’.

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Book SynopsisHistorically speaking, the majority of efforts in the study of ancient Greek physics have traditionally been devoted either to the analysis of the surviving evidence concerning Presocratic philosophers or to the systematic examination of the Platonic and the Aristotelian oeuvre. The aim of this volume is to discuss the notion of space by focusing on the most representative exponents of the Hellenistic schools and to explore the role played by spatial concepts in both coeval and later authors who, without specifically thematising these concepts, made use of them in a theoretically original way. To this purpose, renowned scholars investigate the philosophical and historical significance of the different conceptions of space endorsed by various thinkers ranging from the end of the Classical period to the middle Imperial age. Thus, the volume brings to light the problematical character of the ancient reflection on this topic.

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Book SynopsisThis manual pulls together—and illustrates with interesting case studies—the variety of specialized and generalized archaeological research strategies that yield new insights into science. Throughout the book there are templates, consisting of questions, to help readers visualize and design their own projects. The manual seeks to be as general as possible, applicable to any society, and so science is defined as the creation of useful knowledge—the kinds of knowledge that enable people to make predictions. The chapters in Part I discuss the scope of the archaeology of science and furnish a conceptual foundation for the remainder of the book. Next, Part II presents several specialized, but widely practiced, research strategies that contribute to the archaeology of science. In order to thoroughly ground the manual in real-life applications, Part III presents lengthy case studies that feature the use of historical and archaeological evidence in the study of scientific activities.Trade Review"A Renaissance man in the best sense of the phrase, the author long ago ventured forth with such archaeological expertise into inter-disciplinary waters...this book attempts to systematize and stake out an archaeological approach to science studies by characterizing scientific activity in behavioral terms" (Tim Webmoor, Archaeolog Blog, 2014)Table of Contents​PART I.- 1 Introduction.-2 Science: A Behavioral Perspective.- 3 The Varieties of Scientific Knowledge.-PART II.- 4 Experimental Archaeology.- 5 Ethnoarchaeology.- 6 Archaeometry.- PART III .- 7 The Artifacts of Modern and Early Modern Science.- 8 Thomas Edison’s Science.- 9 Colonization and Exploration.- 10 Scientific Expeditions to Antarctica.-11 The U.S. Nuclear Establishment.-12 Archaeology of the Space Age.- 13 Discovery Processes.

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Book SynopsisExplores the practical applicability of the philosophy of science to scientific research, but also considers its relevance to practice within the realms of technology, design, crafts, and even within the world of arts and the humanities. The attempt to engage working scientists with the issues raised by the philosophy of science may profitably be extended to examine its applicability to any other fields of knowledge that encompass a problem-solving dimension. Drawing on his experience as a research and development scientist in the biomedical device industry, the author shows how the principles of the philosophy of science illuminate the research process. The book is structured on the concept of the inspirational text; it consists of short chapters, each of which provides an accessible discussion of an aspect of the philosophy of science. Each chapter concludes with a list of practical pointers towards the development of attitudes and skills which will benefit the student researcher. ​Table of ContentsPreface.- Acknowledgements.- 1 Introduction – a personal perspective.- 2 It’s about attitude – and experiments.- 3 What’s the problem?.- 4 Oh no! Something doesn’t fit!.- 5 The solutions to problems.- 6 Observe – what?.- 7 Seeing is not necessarily believing.- 8 Testing hypotheses.- 9 More on induction and , justification and Truth.- 10 Models – useful but not true?.- 11 Just be …… cause.- 12 A Question of Trust.- 13 Science, Non-science and Pseudoscience.- 14 Scientific thinking – being rational?.- 15 Some concluding thoughts.- Index.

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Book SynopsisThis book studies the foundations of quantum theory through its relationship to classical physics. This idea goes back to the Copenhagen Interpretation (in the original version due to Bohr and Heisenberg), which the author relates to the mathematical formalism of operator algebras originally created by von Neumann. The book therefore includes comprehensive appendices on functional analysis and C*-algebras, as well as a briefer one on logic, category theory, and topos theory. Matters of foundational as well as mathematical interest that are covered in detail include symmetry (and its "spontaneous" breaking), the measurement problem, the Kochen-Specker, Free Will, and Bell Theorems, the Kadison-Singer conjecture, quantization, indistinguishable particles, the quantum theory of large systems, and quantum logic, the latter in connection with the topos approach to quantum theory.This book is Open Access under a CC BY licence. Trade Review“Quantum theory has frequent applications in the subjects of quantum information theory and quantum optics. The purpose of this book is to present the foundations of quantum theory in connection with classical physics, from the point of view of classical-quantum duality. … This good book is recommended for mathematicians, physicists, philosophers of physics, researchers and advanced students in this field.” (Michael M. Dediu, Mathematical Reviews, Decemeber, 2017)Table of ContentsIntroduction.- Part I Co(X) and B(H): Classical physics on a finite phase space.- Quantum mechanics on a finite-dimensional Hilbert space.- Classical physics on a general phase space.- Quantum physics on a general Hilbert space.- Symmetry in quantum mechanics.- Part II Between Co(X) and B(H): Classical models of quantum mechanics.- Limits: Small hbar.- Limits: large N.- Symmetry in algebraic quantum theory.- Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking.- The Measurement Problem.- Topos theory and quantum logic.- Appendix A: Finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces.- Appendix B: Basic functional analysis.- Appendix C: Operator algebras.- Appendix D: Lattices and logic.- Appendix E: Category theory and topos theory.- References.

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Book SynopsisZUR 2. AUFLAGE DER DEUTSCHEN AUSGABE Warum eröffnen wir eine Buchreihe über Wissenschafts­ theorie verschiedener Hauptdisziplinen mit einer Neu­ auflage von Hans Reichenbachs Buch "Aufstieg der wissen­ schaftlichen Philosophie", dessen 1. Auflage 1951 in den USA erschien? Weil es sich mit seiner präzisen und ver­ ständlichen Sprache nach siebzehn Jahren immer noch so frisch wie damals liest, weil seine Problematik zwischen Rationalismus und Empirismus, seine Opposition gegen Metaphysik und Ontologie als philosophische Grund­ legung der Naturwissenschaft immer noch in Mittel­ europa aktuell ist. Reichenbach spielt aber trotzdem keinen physikalischen Positivismus gegen Philosophie überhaupt aus, sondern tritt für eine autonome, philoso­ phische Analyse der Physik ein, weil z. B. die Frage, wor­ aus die Materie besteht, "mit Hilfe von physikalischen Experimenten allein nicht beantwortet werden kann, sondern eine solche Analyse erfordert" (S. 199). Ihm genügt auch nicht der "gesunde Menschenverstand", wenn es sich um schwierige wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen handelt (S. 201). Noch ein Beispiel für den Umschlag von Wissenschaft zu Philosophie: Man kann die Geschichte des Weltalls etwa 2 Milliarden Jahre zurückverfolgen. Wenn man nun danach fragt, wie der Urgasball selbst noch ent­ standen ist, wird der Wissenschaftler mit einer solchen Frage zum Philosophen (S. 233). Reichenbach unterschei­ det hier aber Philosophen von spekulativem Typ, die eine Kosmogonie erfanden, welche an die Stelle der Wissen­ schaft ein Märchen setzte oder einen Schöpfungsakt aus dem Nichts annahm, und solche von modernem Typ.Table of ContentsErster Teil Die Wurzeln der Spekulativen Philosophie.- 1· Die Frage.- 2 · Die Suche Nach Allgemeinheit und die Pseudoerklärung.- 3 · Die Suche Nach Absoluter Gewissheit und die Rationalistische Auffassung der Erkenntnis.- 4 · Die Suche Nach Ethischen Leitsätzen und der Kognitiv-Ethische Parallelismus.- 5 · Der Losungsversuch des Empirismus: Sein Erfolg und Sein Versagen.- 6 · Die Doppelnatur der Klassischen Physik: Ihre Empiristische und Ihre Rationalistische Seite.- Zweiter Teil Die Ergebnisse der Wissenschaftlichen Philosophie.- 7 · Der Ursprung der Neuen Philosophie.- 8 · Vom Wesen der Geometrie.- 9 · Was Ist die Zeit?.- 10 · Die naturgesetze.- 11 · Gibt Es Atome?.- 12 · Evolution.- 13 · Die moderne logik.- 14 · Unser Wissen von der Zukunft.- 15 · Zwischenspiel: Hamlets Monolog.- 16 · Die Funktionelle Auffassung der Erkenntnis.- 17 · Das Wesen der Ethik.- 18 · Die Alte und die Neue Philosophie: Ein Vergleich.- Register.

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Book SynopsisSeit der griechischen Antike gehört die Frage, was Wissenschaft ist, zu den wichtigsten Fragestellungen der Philosophie. So hat sich im Laufe der Zeit die Wissenschaftstheorie als philosophische Teildisziplin herausgebildet. Das Lehrbuch bietet eine Einführung in verschiedene Bereiche der Wissenschaftstheorie. Sowohl ihre Hauptrichtungen als auch wichtige systematische Aspekte werden erläutert. Dabei werden neben den Erfahrungswissenschaften die Geisteswissenschaften berücksichtigt. Die theoretischen Ausführungen werden durch Anwendungen auf die Kulturwissenschaften, die Linguistik, Mathematik und Physik illustriert. Beispiele und Übungsaufgaben gewährleisten einen einfachen Zugang zu diesem vielschichtigen Thema.​Table of ContentsI Allgemeine Einführung.- II Hauptrichtungen der Wissenschaftstheorie.- III Systematische Aspekte.- IV Vier Gebiete der speziellen Wissenschaftstheorie.- Anhang.

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Book SynopsisAngesichts anhaltender Diskussionen um die notwendige oder wünschenswerte Förderung von Forschung und Wissenschaft unternimmt das Buch den Versuch, akademische Forschung als ein für demokratische Gesellschaften unverzichtbares Element öffentlicher Debatten und damit der öffentlichen Entscheidungsfindung zu verteidigen. Da Wissenschaft wie Demokratie beide verfahrensorientiert sind, ist ihre historische Verbindung kein Zufall. Vielmehr sind Demokratie und Wissenschaft wechselseitig aufeinander angewiesen. Ökonomisch betrachtet, lässt sich Wissenschaft als ein öffentliches Gut verstehen, das insbesondere für das Funktionieren einer Zivilgesellschaft unverzichtbar ist.Table of ContentsWissenschaft und sozialer Wandel.- Die Ökonomie des Erkennens.- Wissenschaft als öffentliche Vernunft.- Wissenschaft und Zivilgesellschaft.

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Book Synopsis​Die Quantenmechanik ist eine physikalische Theorie für Objekte des Mikrokosmos, also z.B. für Atome oder Elektronen. Sie hat sich bisher bestens bewährt, führt aber dazu, dass wir diesen Objekten Eigenschaften und Relationen zubilligen müssen, die weder mit unserem gesunden Menschenverstand noch mit den Begriffen der klassischen Physik vereinbar sind. Diese Merkwürdigkeiten werden vorgestellt und ihre Bedeutung für unser Erkenntnisvermögen und für ein Weltbild wird diskutiert.Table of Contents Einleitung.- Emergenz bzw. Supervenienz.- Objekte, Merkmale, Relationen.- Begriffe in der klassischen Physik.- Die Merkwürdigkeiten in der Quantenmechanik.- Resumé.

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Book SynopsisThe development of atomic bombs under the auspices of the U. S. Army’s Manhattan Project during World War II is considered to be the outstanding news story of the twentieth century. In this book, a physicist and expert on the history of the Project presents a comprehensive overview of this momentous achievement. The first three chapters cover the history of nuclear physics from the discovery of radioactivity to the discovery of fission, and would be ideal for instructors of a sophomore-level “Modern Physics” course. Student-level exercises at the ends of the chapters are accompanied by answers. Chapter 7 covers the physics of first-generation fission weapons at a similar level, again accompanied by exercises and answers. For the interested layman and for non-science students and instructors, the book includes extensive qualitative material on the history, organization, implementation, and results of the Manhattan Project and the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing missions. The reader also learns about the legacy of the Project as reflected in the current world stockpiles of nuclear weapons. Trade Review“It's accessible and easy to read but covers all the interesting aspects of the Manhattan Project starting with the fascinating scientists and other people that were involved in the project … . I found this book delightfully inclusive and very detailed and as such a perfect book to read if you're interested in the Manhattan Project in general.” (AstroMadness.com, May, 2018)“This new text by Cameron successfully marries the science with the history of the Manhattan Project in 472 pages and 173 illustrations (most of them original). … I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about the history of the Manhattan Project and all the nuclear physics behind the project, which is written in a very approachable and educational way.” (Dimitris Mihailidis, Medical Physics, Vol. 41 (9), September, 2014)“Reed (Alma College) provides a well-written scientific, organizational, military, and diplomatic history of the American (and British!) programs leading to the construction and use of the world’s first nuclear weapon. … The book, part of Springer’s ‘Undergraduate Lecture Notes in Physics’ series, is well suited for undergraduates and others who have successfully completed a good introductory college physics course. … Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates and above; general readers.” (A. M. Saperstein, Choice, Vol. 51 (9), May, 2014)“This work, published in the Springer Undergraduate Lecture Notes in Physics series, is intended as a college-level science text on the Manhattan Project, but serves well as a resource for scientists and non-scientists. … Each chapter concludes with problems for students and an extensive bibliography.” (ALSOS Digital Library for Nuclear Issues, alsos.wlu.edu, 2014)Table of ContentsIntroduction and Overview.- A Short History of Nuclear Physics to the Mid-1930s.- The Discovery and Interpretation of Nuclear Fission.- Organizing the Manhattan Project, 1939-1943.- Oak Ridge, CP-1, and the Clinton Engineer Works.- The Hanford Engineer Works.- Los Alamos, Trinity, and Tinian.- Hiroshima and Nagasaki.- The Legacy of Manhattan.- Glossary.

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Book SynopsisThis book is the first academic work on the philosophy of engineering in China that reflects two decades of research. It puts forward a new thesis, namely that the core maxim in the philosophy of engineering is “I create, therefore I am,” which is radically different from the Cartesian maxim: “I think, therefore I am.” In addition, the book offers the first detailed portrait of the roots and evolution of the philosophy of engineering in China. The book begins by discussing the triptych thesis of science, technology and engineering, which argues that there are a number of important distinctions between the three, e.g. scientific activities are chiefly based on discovery, while technological activities center on invention, and engineering activities focus on creation. Considering the latest developments in the philosophy of engineering, the author also analyzes engineering communities, engineering practice and a micro–meso–macro framework. In subsequent chapters, the author separately analyzes the three stages of engineering activities: planning, operating and using artifacts. In the closing chapter, two views on the philosophy of engineering (as a new subdiscipline of philosophy and as a philosophy in its own right) are briefly explained.Table of ContentsForeword.- Translator's Introduction.- Introduction.- The First Stage of Engineering Activity: Planning and Decision-making.- The Second Stage of Engineering Activity: Operating and Implementing.- The Third Stage of Engineering activity: Using Artifacts and Living a Life.- Philosophy of Engineering: An Emerging Branch of Philosophy.

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Book SynopsisJust as the six branches of a snow crystal converge in regular proportions toward their common center, the six contributions to this book point toward a future philosophy of cosmic life. In this sense, this edited volume represents a multidisciplinary and transcultural polylogue of distinguished authors from three continents, which aims to establish highly innovative perspectives and open new frontiers of developing philosophical reflections and scientific foundations for the emergence of a common cosmic consciousness, for an integral ecology, and for a cooperative planetary civilization of humanity. John B. Cobb, Jr. uses a process-philosophical foundation to describe life as living events expressing novelty and the cosmos as a process of self-enriching and self-evolving “Life Itself.” Chandra Wickramasinghe unfolds his scientific and philosophical perspective on cosmic life in twelve successive steps, offering a wide range of arguments and insights that support an up-to-date theory of panspermia. Attila Grandpierre presents the "Cosmic Life Principle" and the comprehensive science based upon it that is inextricably linked to the healthy and cooperative civilization, to the biological laws of nature, to the laws of logic, to the uplifting of the well-being of people and ecological communities. Chunyou Yan introduces the approach of his holographic philosophy, according to which the universe must be understood as a vast living entity, every aspect of which represents life. Bei Peng shows that the proportions of energy meridians in traditional Chinese medicine correspond to musical intervals, and on this basis she demonstrates the analogy of the human body to macrocosmic phenomena. David Bartosch offers an examination of three important systematic foundations for a poly-contextural, transcultural philosophy of cosmic life with roots in Greek, Chinese, South and West Asian, and European traditions of thought. Table of Contents1. Introduction2. Cosmic Life 3. Admitting Our Inalienable Links with the Cosmos 4. The Cosmic Life Instinct Points the Way to a Healthy Ecological Civilization 5. Holographic Philosophy as a Philosophical Basis of Cosmic Life Theory 6. The Human Body as the Singing Universe 7. Poly-contextural Cornerstones for a Transcultural Philosophy of Cosmic Life

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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