Abstract

Modern sciences produce knowledge and findings which improve technological advance and our quality of life in every regard. But do the sciences also provide us with a genuine knowledge about the world in the sense of giving us insights into that which is taking place? This book traces the most important approaches, which have in past decades attempted to make intelligible the contemporary forms of scientific research and progress. The book suggests a new approach for a philosophy of science fit for the 21st century. This new approach brings together and unites the various competing trends, from the philosophy of science to the sociology of science. Based on the findings the book discusses whether the sciences do in fact follow 'scientific' methods in order to reach their successes and whether what they produce can be considered 'knowledge' for us as individuals and for society at large. The discussion also asks whether philosophy itself is a science that produces knowledge"--Page 4.