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Beauty and Revolution in Science - by James W McAllister (Hardcover)

Beauty and Revolution in Science - by  James W McAllister (Hardcover) - 1 of 1
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About this item

Highlights

  • Explaining why he embraced the theory of relativity, the Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist P. A. M. Dirac stated, "It is the essential beauty of the theory which I feel is the real reason for believing in it.
  • About the Author: James W. McAllister is University Lecturer in the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Leiden.
  • 240 Pages
  • Science, Philosophy & Social Aspects

Description



About the Book



The first systematic study of the aesthetic evaluations that scientists pass on their theories.



Book Synopsis



Explaining why he embraced the theory of relativity, the Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist P. A. M. Dirac stated, "It is the essential beauty of the theory which I feel is the real reason for believing in it." How reasonable and rational can science be when its practitioners speak of "revolutions" in their thinking and extol certain theories for their "beauty"? James W. McAllister addresses this question with the first systematic study of the aesthetic evaluations that scientists pass on their theories.Using a wealth of other examples, McAllister explains how scientists' aesthetic preferences are influenced by the empirical track record of theories, describes the origin and development of aesthetic styles of theorizing, and reconsiders whether simplicity is an empirical or an aesthetic virtue of theories. McAllister then advances an innovative model of scientific revolutions, in opposition to that of Thomas S. Kuhn.Three detailed studies demonstrate the interconnection of empirical performance, beauty, and revolution. One examines the impact of new construction materials on the history of architecture. Another reexamines the transition from the Ptolemaic system to Kepler's theory in planetary astronomy, and the third documents the rise of relativity and quantum theory in the twentieth century.



From the Back Cover



How reasonable and rational can science be when its practitioners speak of "revolutions" in their thinking and extol certain theories for their "beauty"? James W. McAllister addresses this question with the first systematic study of the aesthetic evaluations that scientists pass on their theories. P. A. M. Dirac explained why he embraced relativity by saying, "It is the essential beauty of the theory which I feel is the real reason for believing in it". Dirac's claim seems to belie rationalist accounts of science. Using this and a wealth of other historical examples, McAllister explains how scientists' aesthetic preferences are influenced by the empirical track record of theories, describes the origin and development of aesthetic styles of theorizing, and reconsiders whether simplicity is an empirical or an aesthetic virtue of theories. McAllister then advances an innovative model of scientific revolutions, in opposition to that of Thomas S. Kuhn. Three detailed studies demonstrate the interconnection of empirical performance, beauty, and revolution. One examines the impact of new construction materials on the history of architecture. Another reexamines the transition from the Ptolemaic system to Kepler's theory in planetary astronomy, and the third documents the rise of relativity and quantum theory in the twentieth century.



Review Quotes




A valuable, important, persuasively argued book. Highly recommended.

-- "Choice"

This is a great book. It clearly and concisely does what it sets out to do: it examines the basic philosophical and sociological theories of the role of aesthetics in science, it identifies the critical assumptions and contradictions that differentiate these views, and it provides a carefully reasoned, well-documented and novel approach to the issues. Best of all, the book is eminently readable. Anyone interested in the bases of scientific controversies, the nature of scientific revolutions, or the similarities and differences between the sciences and the arts should definitely read McAllister's book. It may prove to be as fundamental as Thomas S. Kuhn's Structure of Scientific Revolutions.

-- "American Scientist"



About the Author



James W. McAllister is University Lecturer in the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Leiden.

Dimensions (Overall): 9.32 Inches (H) x 6.27 Inches (W) x .97 Inches (D)
Weight: 1.3 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 240
Genre: Science
Sub-Genre: Philosophy & Social Aspects
Publisher: Cornell University Press
Format: Hardcover
Author: James W McAllister
Language: English
Street Date: July 3, 1996
TCIN: 94419662
UPC: 9780801432408
Item Number (DPCI): 247-08-6528
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported

Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 0.97 inches length x 6.27 inches width x 9.32 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1.3 pounds
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