Is water H2O? : evidence, realism and pluralism

The Resource Is water H2O? : evidence, realism and pluralism
Label
Is water H2O? : evidence, realism and pluralism
Title remainder
evidence, realism and pluralism
Statement of responsibility
Hasok Chang
Creator
Subject
Genre
Language
eng
Summary
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{u2019}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
Member of
Cataloging source
BTCTA
Dewey number
501
Illustrations
illustrations
Index
index present
Literary form
non fiction
Nature of contents
bibliography
Series statement
Boston studies in the philosophy of science,
Series volume
v. 293

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Context of Is water H2O? : evidence, realism and pluralism

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