Observation and Objectivity

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Oxford University Press, 1987 - Language Arts & Disciplines - 255 pages
This book develops an explanation for the roles of observation and theory in scientific endeavor that occupies the middle ground between empiricism and rationalism, and captures the strengths of both approaches. Brown argues that philosophical theories have the same epistemological status as scientific theories and constructs an epistemological theory that provides an account of the role that theory and instruments play in scientific observation. His theory of perception yields a new analysis of objectivity that combines the traditional view of observation as the foundation of scientific objectivity with the contemporary recognition that observation is theory-dependent.

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Contents

The Functions of Scientific Theories
3
Epistemological Theories
31
Scientific Observation
48
Copyright

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