Is Water H2O? (eBook)

Evidence, Realism and Pluralism

(Autor)

eBook Download: PDF
2012 | 2012
XXI, 316 Seiten
Springer Netherland (Verlag)
978-94-007-3932-1 (ISBN)

Lese- und Medienproben

Is Water H2O? - Hasok Chang
Systemvoraussetzungen
309,23 inkl. MwSt
  • Download sofort lieferbar
  • Zahlungsarten anzeigen
This book exhibits deep philosophical quandaries and intricacies of the historical development of science lying behind a simple and fundamental item of common sense in modern science, namely the composition of water as H2O. Three main phases of development are critically re-examined, covering the historical period from the 1760s to the 1860s: the Chemical Revolution (through which water first became recognized as a compound, not an element), early electrochemistry (by which water's compound nature was confirmed), and early atomic chemistry (in which water started out as HO and became H2O). In each case, the author concludes that the empirical evidence available at the time was not decisive in settling the central debates and therefore the consensus that was reached was unjustified or at least premature. This leads to a significant re-examination of the realism question in the philosophy of science and a unique new advocacy for pluralism in science. Each chapter contains three layers, allowing readers to follow various parts of the book at their chosen level of depth and detail. The second major study in 'complementary science', this book offers a rare combination of philosophy, history and science in a bid to improve scientific knowledge through history and philosophy of science.
This book exhibits deep philosophical quandaries and intricacies of the historical development of science lying behind a simple and fundamental item of common sense in modern science, namely the composition of water as H2O. Three main phases of development are critically re-examined, covering the historical period from the 1760s to the 1860s: the Chemical Revolution (through which water first became recognized as a compound, not an element), early electrochemistry (by which water's compound nature was confirmed), and early atomic chemistry (in which water started out as HO and became H2O). In each case, the author concludes that the empirical evidence available at the time was not decisive in settling the central debates and therefore the consensus that was reached was unjustified or at least premature. This leads to a significant re-examination of the realism question in the philosophy of science and a unique new advocacy for pluralism in science. Each chapter contains three layers, allowing readers to follow various parts of the book at their chosen level of depth and detail. The second major study in "e;complementary science"e;, this book offers a rare combination of philosophy, history and science in a bid to improve scientific knowledge through history and philosophy of science.

Introduction.- Water and the Chemical Revolution.- Piles of Confusion: the Mixed Blessing of Electrolysis.- HO or H2O?.-Evidence in Action (or, The Contextuality of Evidence).- Pluralism in Practice.- Realism in a Free Society.- Epilogue: Complementary Science Continued.

Erscheint lt. Verlag 23.5.2012
Reihe/Serie Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science
Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science
Zusatzinfo XXI, 316 p. 45 illus.
Verlagsort Dordrecht
Sprache englisch
Themenwelt Geisteswissenschaften Geschichte
Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Erkenntnistheorie / Wissenschaftstheorie
Naturwissenschaften Chemie
Naturwissenschaften Physik / Astronomie
Technik
Schlagworte Evidence • pluralism • Realism • (scientific) practice • Water
ISBN-10 94-007-3932-X / 940073932X
ISBN-13 978-94-007-3932-1 / 9789400739321
Haben Sie eine Frage zum Produkt?
PDFPDF (Wasserzeichen)
Größe: 4,2 MB

DRM: Digitales Wasserzeichen
Dieses eBook enthält ein digitales Wasser­zeichen und ist damit für Sie persona­lisiert. Bei einer missbräuch­lichen Weiter­gabe des eBooks an Dritte ist eine Rück­ver­folgung an die Quelle möglich.

Dateiformat: PDF (Portable Document Format)
Mit einem festen Seiten­layout eignet sich die PDF besonders für Fach­bücher mit Spalten, Tabellen und Abbild­ungen. Eine PDF kann auf fast allen Geräten ange­zeigt werden, ist aber für kleine Displays (Smart­phone, eReader) nur einge­schränkt geeignet.

Systemvoraussetzungen:
PC/Mac: Mit einem PC oder Mac können Sie dieses eBook lesen. Sie benötigen dafür einen PDF-Viewer - z.B. den Adobe Reader oder Adobe Digital Editions.
eReader: Dieses eBook kann mit (fast) allen eBook-Readern gelesen werden. Mit dem amazon-Kindle ist es aber nicht kompatibel.
Smartphone/Tablet: Egal ob Apple oder Android, dieses eBook können Sie lesen. Sie benötigen dafür einen PDF-Viewer - z.B. die kostenlose Adobe Digital Editions-App.

Buying eBooks from abroad
For tax law reasons we can sell eBooks just within Germany and Switzerland. Regrettably we cannot fulfill eBook-orders from other countries.

Mehr entdecken
aus dem Bereich

von Thomas Bedürftig; Roman Murawski; Karl Kuhlemann

eBook Download (2024)
Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co.KG (Verlag)
59,95