Norwood Russell Hanson was one of the most important philosophers of science of the post-war
period. Hanson brought Wittgensteinian ordinary language philosophy to bear on the concepts of
science and his treatments of observation discovery and the theory-ladenness of scientific
facts remain central to the philosophy of science. Additionally Hanson was one of philosophy's
great personalities and his sense of humor and charm come through fully in the pages of
Perception and Discovery.Perception and Discovery originally published in 1969 is Hanson's
posthumous textbook in philosophy of science. The book focuses on the indispensable role
philosophy plays in scientific thinking. Perception and Discovery features Hanson's most
complete and mature account of theory-laden observation a discussion of conceptual and logical
boundaries and a detailed treatment of the epistemological features of scientific research and
scientific reasoning. This book is of interest to scholars of philosophy of science
particularly those concerned with Hanson's thought and the development of the discipline in the
middle of the 20th century. However even fifty years after Hanson's early death Perception
and Discovery still has a great deal to offer all readers interested in science.
