Pavlov's Dogs and Schrödinger's Cat: scenes from the living laboratory - Softcover

Harré, Rom

Softcover

ISBN 10: 019923857X ISBN 13: 9780199238576

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 2010

Synopsis

From the sheep, dog, and cockerel that were sent aloft in Montgolfier's balloon, to Galvani's frog's legs, Dolly the Sheep, the finches of the Galapagos, and even imaginary cats and simulated life forms, Pavlov's Dogs and Schrödinger's Cat explores the fascinating history of the role of living things in science.

The ways in which animals and plants have been used in science has always been a matter for considerable public debate, and this book provides an important and fascinating new perspective, setting aside moral reflection to simply examine the history of how and why living creatures have been used for the purposes of scientific discovery. Many extraordinary stories are uncovered throughout five centuries of science - tales of the people involved, curious incidents and episodes, and the occasional scientific fraud too, as clear reflections on the history and philosophy of science are combined with remarkable accounts from the living laboratory.

About this title

Review

Review from previous edition Original and thoughtful study. (PD Smith, The Guardian)

About the Author

Rom Harré is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Linacre College, Oxford, and Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at Georgetown University, Washington, DC. His academic career began in mathematics, but an interest in the methods used by scientists led him towards the philosophy of science. He is past President of the British Society for the Philosophy of Science and Honorary President of International Society for the Philosophy of Chemistry, and his previous publications include Philosophies of Science and Great Scientific Experiments.

About this edition

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 019923857X
• ISBN 13: 9780199238576
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 336