Scientific Objectivity and Its Contexts

Beschreibung

The first part of this book is of an epistemological nature and develops an original theory of scientific objectivity, understood in a weak sense (as intersubjective agreement among the specialists) and a strong sense (as having precise concrete referents). In both cases it relies upon the adoption of operational criteria designed within the particular perspective under which any single science considers reality. The “object” so attained has a proper ontological status, dependent on the specific character of the criteria of reference (regional ontologies). This justifies a form of scientific realism. Such perspectives are also the result of a complex cultural-historical situation. The awareness of such a “historical determinacy” of science justifies including in the philosophy of science the problems of ethics of science, relations of science with metaphysics, and social dimensions of science that overstep the traditional restriction of the philosophy of science to an epistemology of science. It is to this “context” that the second part of the book is devoted.
The first part of this book is of an epistemological nature and develops an original theory of scientific objectivity, understood in a weak sense (as intersubjective agreement among the specialists) and a strong sense (as having precise concrete referents). In both cases it relies upon the adoption of operational criteria designed within the particular perspective under which any single science considers reality. The “object” so attained has a proper ontological status, dependent on the specific character of the criteria of reference (regional ontologies). This justifies a form of scientific realism. Such perspectives are also the result of a complex cultural-historical situation. The awareness of such a “historical determinacy” of science justifies including in the philosophy of science the problems of ethics of science, relations of science with metaphysics and social dimensions of science that overstep the traditional restriction of the philosophy of science to an epistemology of science. It is to this “context” that the second part of the book is devoted.
The comprehensive summary of the author's life work Proposes a theory of objectivity that applies equally well to the natural sciences and the humanities Takes concepts and methodologies from traditional, analytic and continental philosophy and brings them to a fruitful complementary interplay in the philosophy of science Offers a clear methodological framework for interdisciplinary investigation Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Evandro Agazzi

Themen in »Scientific Objectivity and Its Contexts«

Epistemological Dualism Evandro Agazzi Life Work Galilean Revolution Historical Determinacy Science and Metaphysics Scientific Objectivity

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“The rich and wide-ranging book offers a critical dialogue with many contemporary philosophers, debates, and viewpoints. It includes ten chapters and one appendix on philosophical topics associated with the concept of scientific objectivity as the key to the scientific understanding of reality. … the book recommends itself because of its great clarity, while also deservig a careful reading because of the complexity of its structure and the organic unity of its parts.” (Marco Buzzoni, Journal for General Philosophy of Science, Vol. 47, 2016)

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