Cover of Philosophy of Science

Philosophy of Science

A Very Short Introduction

by Samir Okasha · first published 2002

4mentions
2recommended by
4HN commenters
2015–2022first – last mentioned

50% recommend50% neutral

"What is science? Is there a real difference between science and myth? Is science objective? Can science explain everything? This Very Short Introduction provides a concise overview of the main themes of contemporary philosophy of science. Beginning with a short history of science to set the scene, Samir Okasha goes on to investigate the nature of scientific reasoning, scientific explanation, revolutions in science, and theories such as realism and anti-realism. He also looks at philosophical issues in particular sciences, including the problem of classification in biology, and the nature of s

Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Mentions per year

10 2007: 0 mentions2008: 0 mentions2009: 0 mentions2010: 0 mentions2011: 0 mentions2012: 0 mentions2013: 0 mentions2014: 0 mentions2015: 1 mention2016: 0 mentions2017: 1 mention2018: 0 mentions2019: 0 mentions2020: 1 mention2021: 0 mentions2022: 1 mention2023: 0 mentions2024: 0 mentions2025: 0 mentions2026: 0 mentions200720172026

What Hacker News says

  • n0us · Dec 11, 2015 · Recommends

    For those who have a curiosity but lack the patience or inclination to read these books, "Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction" is a highly approachable introduction to this particular branch of philosophy. http://www.amazon.com/Philosophy-Science-Very-Short-Introduc...

    on “Philosophy of science books every computer scientist should read” ↗
  • jhbadger · Jan 23, 2020 · Recommends

    I'd recommend Samir Okasha's "Philosophy of Science: A Very Short Introduction" (one of those Oxford University Press "Very short introduction" books that are only around 100 pages) as he has a short section on the Science Wars, and then if you are interested…

    on “Was Paul Feyerabend Really Science's "Worst Enemy"? (2016)” ↗
  • pacuna · Dec 5, 2017 · Mentions

    - Fooled by randomness by Nassim Taleb - Sapiens by Yuval Harari - The invention of nature by Andrea Wulf - The subtle art of not giving a f*ck by Mark Manson - Philosophy of Science: Very Short Introduction by Samir Okasha

    on “Ask HN: Notable books you read this year” ↗
  • anon_123g987 · Sep 12, 2022 · Mentions

    …with a galaxy, thinks the layman. While this turns out to be literally false, the point of the quote may still stand. The discipline that studies the real tools of Science is not Science itself, but the Philosophy of Science. This shouldn't be like this, and it wasn't until lately. Philosophy and Science used to be one and the same, but around a hundred years ago they separated, and this hurt both tremendously, in my opinion.

    on “How Mathematics Changed Me” ↗

Keyboard shortcuts

/
Focus search
j / k
Next / previous book
Enter
Open focused book
Esc
Close / go back
g h
Go to Home
g t
Go to Top all-time
g m
Go to Most recommended
g r
Go to Rising
g f
Go to For You
?
Show this help