Platonism and the Objects of Science - by Scott Berman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

What are the objects of science? Are they just the things in our scientific experiments that are located in space and time? Or does science also require that there be additional things that are not located in space and time?

Using clear examples, these are just some of the questions that Scott Berman explores as he shows why alternative theories such as Nominalism, Contemporary Aristotelianism, Constructivism, and Classical Aristotelianism, fall short. He demonstrates why the objects of scientific knowledge need to be not located in space or time if they are to do the explanatory work scientists need them to do. The result is a contemporary version of Platonism that provides us with the best way to explain what the objects of scientific understanding are, and how those non-spatiotemporal things relate to the spatiotemporal things of scientific experiments, as well as everything around us, including even ourselves.

Review Quotes

In this fun, interesting and thought-provoking book, Berman dives deep into the big questions about the ultimate nature of reality and whether it's ultimately all mathematical. Regardless of whether you end up convinced by all his arguments and relatable examples, this book will give you new perspectives and make you think big.
Max Tegmark, Professor of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA

The book has an entirely perspicuous structure and is clearly written with many helpful examples. An introduction sets out the argumentative strategy: show the insufficiency of alternatives to Platonism and then provide an outline of the core Platonic position, demonstrating how it answers satisfactorily all the questions that the competitors fail to answer or even address ... one must admit that Berman's Platonism turns out to be a very respectable alternative to an array of anti-Platonic doctrines.
Bryn Mawr Classical Review

This book will be a game changer in the current metaphysical debate: Platonism is argued to be a theoretically superior and more plausible option than Aristotelianism - whether the reader agrees or disagrees, they will have to engage.
Anna Marmodoro, Professor of Philosophy at Durham University, Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, Corpus Christi College, United Kingdom

About the Author

Scott Berman is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Academic Program Coordinator for the Prison Education Program at Saint Louis University, USA.