Scientific Nihilism: On the Loss and Recovery of Physical Explanation
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| Author | Daniel R Athearn |
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| Language | English |
| Subject | Philosophy of science, causal explanation |
| Published | 1994 |
| Publisher | SUNY Press |
| Pages | 387 |
| ISBN | 0791418073 |
Scientific Nihilism: On the Loss and Recovery of Physical Explanation is a 1994 book in the philosophy of science by Daniel R Athearn, published by the State University of New York Press.
Overview
Athearn addresses "scientific nihilism" — the widespread view (especially within the philosophy of science) that genuine understanding or causal explanation is not really attainable in physics. He argues that although narrative causal explanation "broke off" in modern physics, this is no basis for a negative view of scientific knowledge. Drawing on radiation and field phenomena, he tries to show that even these puzzling domains are amenable to causal explanation, and he sketches a programme for recovering explanatory understanding. Chapters treat the "causalist quest" in physical science, the structure of causation, radiation and causality, and time, space, and "genetic structure."
About the author
Daniel R. Athearn (born 1951) is an American independent philosopher of science whose work focuses on causal explanation and the metaphysics of physics.
Publication details
- Author: Daniel R Athearn
- Publisher: SUNY Press, Albany
- Published: 1994
- Pages: 387
- ISBN: 0791418073
Links to Purchase Book
- Scientific Nihilism (Amazon)