Defining Science
William Whewell, Natural Knowledge and Public Debate in Early Victorian Britain
Part of Ideas in Context
- Author: Richard Yeo, Griffith University, Queensland
- Date Published: April 2011
- availability: This ISBN is for an eBook version which is distributed on our behalf by a third party.
- format: Adobe eBook Reader
- isbn: 9780511881923
Find out more about Cambridge eBooks
Adobe eBook Reader
Other available formats:
Paperback, Hardback
Looking for an inspection copy?
Please email [email protected] to enquire about an inspection copy of this book
-
This 1993 book deals with debates about science - its history, philosophy and moral value - in the first half of the nineteenth century, a period in which the 'modern' features of science developed. Defining Science also examines the different forms or genres in which science was discussed in the public sphere - most crucially in the Victorian review journals, but also in biographical, historical and educational works. William Whewell wrote major works on the history and philosophy of science before these became technical subjects. Consequently he had to define his own role as a metascientific critic (in a manner akin to cultural critics like Coleridge and Carlyle) as well as seeking to define science for both expert and lay audiences.
Read more- Major re-interpretation of the first great historian and philosopher of science
- Important contribution to debates about Victorian scientific culture
- Study of the emergence of a distinctive scientific vocabulary - Whewell first to coin the term 'scientist'
Reviews & endorsements
'… a thoughtful discussion of the emergence of science as a major factor in the definition of Victorian civilisation.' Metascience
See more reviews'… at once a seminal vocational biography of the most prominent Victorian metascientist, and a penetrating study of the complex debate about the nature of science in nineteenth century Britain. It is a book no student of Victorian intellectual history can afford to ignore.' Isis
Customer reviews
Not yet reviewed
Be the first to review
Review was not posted due to profanity
×Product details
- Date Published: April 2011
- format: Adobe eBook Reader
- isbn: 9780511881923
- availability: This ISBN is for an eBook version which is distributed on our behalf by a third party.
Table of Contents
Preface
1. Introduction
2. Science and the public sphere
3. Metascience as a vocation
4. Reviewing science
5. Moral scientists
6. Using history
7. Moral science
8. Science, education and society
9. The unity of science.
Related Books
related journals
Sorry, this resource is locked
Please register or sign in to request access. If you are having problems accessing these resources please email [email protected]
Register Sign in» Proceed
You are now leaving the Cambridge University Press website. Your eBook purchase and download will be completed by our partner www.ebooks.com. Please see the permission section of the www.ebooks.com catalogue page for details of the print & copy limits on our eBooks.
Continue ×Are you sure you want to delete your account?
This cannot be undone.
Thank you for your feedback which will help us improve our service.
If you requested a response, we will make sure to get back to you shortly.
×