Critical Reasoning and Science : Looking at Science with an Investigative Eye

Critical Reasoning and Science is an attempt to eliminate or at least diminish the feeling of estrangement that students may feel toward science. It is divided into three parts—a brief introduction to critical reasoning and science, a critical look at philosophical issues related to science, and a critical look at the practice of science. Overall, this work is unique in aim and functionality, as it is the first book to offer students a critical approach both to the philosophy and to the practice of science. Moreover, it aims to do so in a user-friendly manner by introducing material in short, digestible units (called "modules"). Each module has several history-of-science text boxes throughout as well as key terms, text questions, and text-box questions at its end. There are also ample practice exercises to test students on the material.