Stuart Firestein
Ignorance: How It Drives Science
- ISBN 13:
- 9780199828074
- author:
- Stuart Firestein
- format:
- HardBack
- publisher:
- OUP USA
- language:
- English
- Publication Year:
- 2012
- Pages:
- 256
- Dimensions:
- 14 x 2.3 x 21 cm
- Genre:
- Science & Nature, Intelligence & reasoning, Neurosciences, Philosophy of science, Philosophy: epistemology & theory of knowledge, Popular science, States of consciousness, Discoveries in science, Ignorance (Theory of knowledge), SCIENCE / General, Sc
- Condition:
- New
- Availability:
- Item usually sent within 4 working days
Description
Science often relies on uncertainty rather than certainty. In fact, it is ignorance that drives scientific discovery. According to Stuart Firestein, scientists use their lack of knowledge to inform their work and propel them forward. Firestein explores how researchers employ ignorance as a tool to identify areas for investigation, design experiments, and tackle complex problems. He also examines the various ways in which scientists unconsciously rely on ignorance, from revisiting established theories to pursuing seemingly trivial questions out of curiosity. The book features four case studies from different fields - cognitive psychology, theoretical physics, astronomy, and neuroscience - that illustrate the daily struggle with uncertainty in scientific research.
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