Scerri, Eric (2016). A Tale of Seven Scientists and a New Philosophy of Science. New York: Oxford University Press. 264 pages

Abstract

Exploring the history of the electronic structure of atoms in the early 20th century, A Tale of Seven Scientists and a New Philosophy of Science tries to show that science progresses in a unified and continuous way. In this book, Eric R. Scerri (1953, Malta) argues that, similar to how biological entities evolve, scientific development is guided by an "organic" rationality whose primary driving-force is the work done by all the “little people” (scientists who, although having contributed to science, have not received the same recognition as the 'heroes' of science). This thesis attempts (i) to reinforce the need of reflecting on how the history of science is reconstructed and communicated, and (ii) to reconsider the opportunity of developing a "new" philosophy of science.

Keywords

• progreso científico
• epistemología evolutiva
• racionalidad científica