Data, Instruments, and Theory: A Dialectical Approach to Understanding Science

Robert John Ackermann

Published by Princeton University Press 1985

Data, Instruments, and Theory

A Dialectical Approach to Understanding Science

Robert John Ackermann

Volume 31 in the series Princeton Legacy Library

https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400854936

Overview
Contents

About this book

Robert John Ackermann deals decisively with the problem of relativism that has plagued post-empiricist philosophy of science. Recognizing that theory and data are mediated by data domains (bordered data sets produced by scientific instruments), he argues that the use of instruments breaks the dependency of observation on theory and thus creates a reasoned basis for scientific objectivity.

Originally published in 1985.

The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Preface Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	ix
1. Logic and Science Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2. Social Structure in Science Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	35
3. Science and Nonscience Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	74
4. Scientific Facts and Scientific Theories Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	112
Appendix. The Human Sciences Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	165
Notes Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	187
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	201
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	215

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