Offering an engaging and accessible portrait of the current state of the field Philosophy of
Science: A New Introduction shows students how to think philosophically about science and why
it is both essential and fascinating to do so. Gillian Barker and Philip Kitcher reconsider the
core questions in philosophy of science in light of the multitude of changes that have taken
place in the decades since the publication of C.G. Hempel's classic work Philosophy of Natural
Science (1966)--both in the field and also in history and sociology of science and the sciences
themselves. They explore how philosophical questions are connected to vigorous current
debates--including climate change science and religion race intellectual property rights
and medical research priorities--showing how these questions and philosophers' attempts to
answer them matter in the real world. Featuring numerous illustrative examples and extensive
further reading lists Philosophy of Science: A New Introduction is ideal for courses in
philosophy of science history and philosophy of science and epistemology theory of knowledge.
It is also compelling and illuminating reading for scientists science students and anyone
interested in the natural sciences and in their place in global society today.
