Observation and Objectivity

Harold I. Brown

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Author
Harold I. Brown
Publish Date
1987-06-18
Book Type
Hardcover
Number of Pages
274
Publisher Name
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10
0195048253
ISBN-13
9780195048254
citemno
248141
SKU
9780195048254

Description

This book develops an explanation for the roles of observation and theory in scientific endeavor that occupies the middle ground between empiricism and rationalism, and captures the strengths of both approaches. Brown argues that philosophical theories have the same epistemological status as scientific theories and constructs an epistemological theory that provides an account of the role that theory and instruments play in scientific observation. His theory of perception yields a new analysis of objectivity that combines the traditional view of observation as the foundation of scientific objectivity with the contemporary recognition that observation is theory-dependent.