Lars-Göran Johansson Libri

This textbook introduces the philosophy of science, guiding students in natural, human, and social sciences to understand science's development, core traits, and the distinction between science and pseudo-science. It highlights similarities between different sciences and emphasizes the relevance of natural science lessons to human and social sciences. The book is structured into three parts, covering the definition of science, key philosophical concepts, and contemporary trends in science.

Focusing on quantum mechanics, the author offers a realistic interpretation of quantum waves, largely supporting Schrödinger's perspectives. The book argues that the collapse of a wave function during measurement represents a genuine physical event, stemming from the quantization of interaction. Additionally, it introduces a revised principle of individuation in the quantum realm, which provides insights into non-local phenomena. Through these discussions, the text seeks to deepen the understanding of quantum mechanics and its implications.

The book offers a comprehensive empiricist perspective on physics, tracing the evolution of empiricism from Ockham to van Fraassen. It establishes a unique version of empiricism based on three core ideas: nominalism, which rejects second-order quantification; epistemological naturalism; and the notion that classifying entities into natural kinds is merely a human practice that requires no justification.