num_pages: 429
description: William Whewell's views on the philosophy of science were dismissed as incoherent and eclectic when he introduced them in the middle of the 19th century, though some leading contemporaries engaged and even incorporated them. When his ideas were resurrected a century later, they were dismissed as poor induction rather than original thinking. Wettersten (philosophy of science, Mannheim U., Germany) explores why Whewell's impact continues to be felt, and why almost all theorists have had to come to terms with his ideas. He also addresses larger concerns such as whether traditions can be assessed rationally, and whether there is a logic to how they change or can be changed. Six commentaries follow his treatise, and he responds to them. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
language: English
title: Whewells Critics: Have They Prevented Him from Doing Good?
titlecomplete: Whewells Critics: Have They Prevented Him from Doing Good? (Poznañ Studies in the Philosophy of the Sciences and the Humanities 85)
publisher: Rodopi