Having examined previous volumes of the Boston Studies series devoted to different countries, and having discussed the best way to present contemporary research in France, we have arrived at a careful selection of 15 participants, including the organizers. Our aim is to bring together philosophers and practicing scientist from the major institutions of the country, both universities and research centers. The areas of research represented here cover a wide spectrum of sciences, from mathematics and physics to the life sciences, as well as linguistics and economics. This selection is a showcase of French philosophy of science, illustrating the different methods employed: logico-linguistic analysis, rational reconstruction and historical inquiry. These participants have the ability to relate their research both to the French tradition and current discussions on the international scene. Also included is a substantial historical introduction, explaining the development of philosophy of science in France, the various schools of thought and methods as well as the major concepts and their significance.
Author(s): Anastasios Brenner, Jean Gayon
Series: Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science 276
Edition: 1
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2009
Language: English
Pages: 370
Contents......Page 6
Introduction......Page 8
Part I: Styles in Philosophy of Science and Technology......Page 30
1. The Legend of Philosophy's Striptease:Trends in Philosophy of Science......Page 31
2. French Philosophy of Technology......Page 56
Part II: General Philosophy of Science......Page 76
3. A Problem in General Philosophy of Science: The Rational Criteria of Choice......Page 77
4. Science and Realism:The Legacy of Duhem and Meyerson in Contemporary American Philosophy of Science......Page 94
Part III: Physical and Chemical Sciences......Page 116
5. Philosophy and 20th Century Physics......Page 117
6. Foundations of Physics: The Empirical Blindness......Page 143
7. Philosophy of Chemistry......Page 166
Part IV: Life Sciences......Page 188
8. Pharmacology as a Philosophical Object......Page 189
9. Philosophy of Biology: An Historico-critical Characterization......Page 201
10. Philosophy and Contemporary Biological Research......Page 213
Part V: Philosophy of the Behavorial and Cognitive Sciences......Page 225
11. What Is a Mental Function?......Page 226
12. Philosophy of Cognitive Science......Page 253
Part VI: Philosophy of Economics......Page 299
13. Duhemian Themes in Expected Utility Theory......Page 300
Notes on the Authors......Page 355
B......Page 362
D......Page 363
F......Page 364
H......Page 365
L......Page 366
M......Page 367
R......Page 368
S......Page 369
Z......Page 370
