Why Trust Science? (Hardcover)

Why the social character of scientific knowledge makes it trustworthy Do doctors really know what they are talking about when they tell us vaccines are safe? Should we take climate experts at their word when they warn us about the perils of global warming? Why should we trust science when our own politicians don't? In this landmark book, Naomi Oreskes offers a bold and compelling defense of science, revealing why the social character of scientific knowledge is its greatest strength-and the greatest reason we can trust it. Tracing the history and philosophy of science from the late nineteenth century to today, Oreskes explains that, contrary to popular belief, there is no single scientific method. Rather, the trustworthiness of scientific claims derives from the social process by which they are rigorously vetted. This process is not perfect-nothing ever is when humans are involved-but she draws vital lessons from cases where scientists got it wrong. Oreskes shows how consensus is a crucial indicator of when a scientific matter has been settled, and when the knowledge produced is likely to be trustworthy. Based on the Tanner Lectures on Human Values at Princeton University, this timely and provocative book features critical responses by climate experts Ottmar Edenhofer and Martin Kowarsch, political scientist Jon Krosnick, philosopher of science Marc Lange, and science historian Susan Lindee, as well as a foreword by political theorist Stephen Macedo.

General

Imprint:	Princeton University Press
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	October 2019
First published:	2019
Authors:	Naomi Oreskes
Contributors:	Ottmar Edenhofer • Jon Krosnick • M.Susan Lindee • Marc Lange • Martin Kowarsch
Editors:	Stephen Macedo
Dimensions:	216 x 140 x 29mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover - Trade binding
Pages:	376
ISBN-13:	978-0-691-17900-1
Categories:	Books > Science & Mathematics > Science: general issues > Philosophy of science Books > Science & Mathematics > Science: general issues > History of science Books > Science & Mathematics > Science: general issues > Popular science
LSN:	0-691-17900-X
Barcode:	9780691179001

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