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OverviewThere Are No Such Things as Theories considers the fundamental question: what is a scientific theory? It presents a range of options - from theories are sets of propositions, to theories are families of models, abstract artefacts, or fictions - and highlights the various problems they all face. In so doing it draws multiple comparisons between theories and artworks: on the one hand, theories are like certain kinds of paintings with regard to their representational capacity; on the other, they are like musical works in that they can be multiply presented. An alternative answer to the question is then offered, drawing on the metaphysics of musical works: there are no such things as theories. Nevertheless, we can still talk about them, since that talk is made true by the various practices that scientists engage in. The implications of this form of eliminativism for the realism debate is then discussed and it is concluded that this may offer a more flexible framework in which we can understand both the history and the philosophy of science in general. Full Product DetailsAuthor: Steven French (Professor of Philosophy of Science, Professor of Philosophy of Science, University of Leeds)Publisher: Oxford University Press Imprint: Oxford University Press Dimensions: Width: 16.00cm , Height: 2.00cm , Length: 24.20cm Weight: 0.562kg ISBN: 9780198848158ISBN 10: 0198848153 Pages: 284 Publication Date: 04 March 2020 Audience: Professional and scholarly , Professional & Vocational Format: Hardback Publisher's Status: Active Availability: To order Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us. Table of ContentsReviews`French's book is a tour de force through various extant and conceivable views of the ontological status of theories.' Finnur Dellsen, Metascience This is an engaging and challenging book: French skillfully uses the ongoing debates about the nature of theories and models in the philosophy of science to develop an intriguing account of what philosophers of science should really be up to. * Christopher Pincock, Metascience * Author InformationSteven French obtained his PhD with Michael Redhead at the University of London in 1985. He has taught at universities in Brazil and the USA before moving to Leeds in 1993 where he is Professor of Philosophy of Science. He is the author of numerous books and papers in the philosophy of science and is currently Co-Editor-in-Chief of The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science. Tab Content 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |