Skip to content

Beauty and Revolution in Science
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Beauty and Revolution in Science Hardcover - 1996

by McAllister, James W

  • Used
  • Fine
  • Hardcover
  • first

Description

Cornell University Press, 1996. Blue cloth spine and edges with darker blue lettering on spine, gray covers. 231 pages.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Fine/Fine. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.
Used - Fine
NZ$37.46
NZ$7.49 Shipping to USA
Standard delivery: 7 to 14 days
More Shipping Options
Ships from Virtuous Volumes et al. (Wisconsin, United States)
The BIBLIO Guarantee | Ask Seller a Question

Details

  • Title Beauty and Revolution in Science
  • Author McAllister, James W
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition First Edition
  • Condition Used - Fine
  • Pages 240
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY
  • Date 1996
  • Bookseller's Inventory # 018689
  • ISBN 9780801432408 / 0801432405
  • Weight 1.3 lbs (0.59 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.32 x 6.27 x 0.97 in (23.67 x 15.93 x 2.46 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 96003910
  • Dewey Decimal Code 501

About Virtuous Volumes et al. Wisconsin, United States

Specializing in: Business, Environment Related, Fashion Related, Psychology, Religion & Philosophy, Tourism, Transportation & Travel
Biblio member since 2004
Seller rating: This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.

Internet business since 1999; open by appointment.

Terms of Sale: Media mail $3.00 for the first book, $1.50 for each additional book in the same order. Priorty mail $5.50 for first book, $3.50 for additional books in that order, unless book is over 2-3 pounds and/or in a zone which indicates it is significantly more. In countries where the International rate is set at $9.00 for Economy Surface Letter Post, books may be sent by Global Priority if the difference is not great enough to warrant reduction to closer to actual cost. Please indicate your preference for saving time (weeks of business days) or money (generally $1.00 to $2.00 if reduced for light books). International expedited is set to cover Airmail Letter Post if the item will not fit in a Global Envelope with sufficient packing materals. Please contact by e-mail or phone prior to any returns, if item is not as described.

Browse books from Virtuous Volumes et al.

From the publisher

Explaining why he embraced the theory of relativity, the Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist P. A. M. Dirac stated, "It is the essential beauty of the theory which I feel is the real reason for believing in it." How reasonable and rational can science be when its practitioners speak of "revolutions" in their thinking and extol certain theories for their "beauty"? James W. McAllister addresses this question with the first systematic study of the aesthetic evaluations that scientists pass on their theories.Using a wealth of other examples, McAllister explains how scientists' aesthetic preferences are influenced by the empirical track record of theories, describes the origin and development of aesthetic styles of theorizing, and reconsiders whether simplicity is an empirical or an aesthetic virtue of theories. McAllister then advances an innovative model of scientific revolutions, in opposition to that of Thomas S. Kuhn.Three detailed studies demonstrate the interconnection of empirical performance, beauty, and revolution. One examines the impact of new construction materials on the history of architecture. Another reexamines the transition from the Ptolemaic system to Kepler's theory in planetary astronomy, and the third documents the rise of relativity and quantum theory in the twentieth century.

From the rear cover

How reasonable and rational can science be when its practitioners speak of "revolutions" in their thinking and extol certain theories for their "beauty"? James W. McAllister addresses this question with the first systematic study of the aesthetic evaluations that scientists pass on their theories. P. A. M. Dirac explained why he embraced relativity by saying, "It is the essential beauty of the theory which I feel is the real reason for believing in it". Dirac's claim seems to belie rationalist accounts of science. Using this and a wealth of other historical examples, McAllister explains how scientists' aesthetic preferences are influenced by the empirical track record of theories, describes the origin and development of aesthetic styles of theorizing, and reconsiders whether simplicity is an empirical or an aesthetic virtue of theories. McAllister then advances an innovative model of scientific revolutions, in opposition to that of Thomas S. Kuhn. Three detailed studies demonstrate the interconnection of empirical performance, beauty, and revolution. One examines the impact of new construction materials on the history of architecture. Another reexamines the transition from the Ptolemaic system to Kepler's theory in planetary astronomy, and the third documents the rise of relativity and quantum theory in the twentieth century.

Categories

Media reviews

Citations

  • Library Journal, 09/01/1996, Page 205

About the author

James W. McAllister is University Lecturer in the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Leiden.

Hang on… we’re fetching the requested page.