Investigating the life sciences : an introduction to the philosophy of science

Foreword. Introduction to science: some agreements. What is philosophy of science? Words, words...concepts. The origin of concepts. A matter of fact. The truth about facts. The genesis of science: some case studies. Harvey's 'discovery'. Bernard's 'organicism'. Mendel's 'Mendelism'. Darwin's 'revolution'. Simpson's 'gradualism'. The pattern(s) of science: some viewpoints. The level of science. The context of discovery. The context of justification. Explanation in the life sciences. The limits of science: some border areas. An all-round outlook. Reductionism in its simplicity. Determinism as a boomerang. The dualism of facts and values. A parable. Bibliography. Index.