Description
Book SynopsisUses the revolution in geoscientinsts' beliefs about the earth to examine questions such as, How does scientific knowledge develop and change? This book also explores how well different perspectives help us to understand revolutionary change in science.
Table of ContentsPreface
1. Perspectives on Scientific Revolutions
Diverse Perspectives on the Nature of Scientific Revolutions
Data and "Theory Testing" in the History of Science
Overview of the Chapters
2. The Rise and Fall of Continental Drift Theory
Geological Thought in the Early 1900s
Continental Drift Theories
The Response to Wegener: 1920-1945
Discussion and Conclusions
3. Specialization without Integrating Theory: 1945-1959
Oceanography
Seismology
Geochronology
Geosyncline Theory and Continental Accretion
Paleomagnetism
Global Theories
Discussion and Conclusions
4. Plate Tectonics: Its Origin, Development, and Opponents
The Seafloor Spreading Hypothesis: 1960-1963
Growing Evidence for Seafloor Spreading: 1964-1966
The Rise and Partial Acceptance of Plate Tectonics: 1967-1970
Developments in the 1970s and Continuing Problems
Opposition By A Minority
Summary and Discussion
5. Philosophical and Historical Perspectives
Logical Empiricism
Critical Rationalism
Sophisticated Falsificationism
The "Problem-Solving" Perspective
General Problems with the "Rationalist" Perspectives
The Paradigm Perspective
Models and Analogies in Science
Conclusion and Overview: The "Paradigm" Paradigm
6. Social Perspectives on Decision-Making in Science
Decisions in a Typical Research Project
Source and Iconic Models for Studying Decision-Making in Science
Decison-Making in Social Organizations
The Motivations of Scientists and the Context of Research
Sociological Perspectives on Science
Measuring the "Global" Properties of Decision-Making in a Scientific Discipline
Summary and Conclusions
7. Quantitative Studies
Predicting the Influence of Scientific "Conversations"
Assessing the Importance of Social and Scientific Interests
Predicting Published Opinions on Continental Drift Theory: 1900-1950
Conclusions
8. Reflections
A Recapitulation
The Nature of Scientific Knowledge and Suggestions for Future Studies
Reflexive Reflections
Postscript
Notes
Bibliography
Index
