Table of Contents

Preface 1. Ernst Mach and the Fortunes of Positivism 2. More on Mach and Einstein 3. Quanta, Relativity, and Rhetoric 4. On the Jeffersonian Research Program 5. The Controversy over the End of Science 6. The Anti-Science Phenomenon Sources Index

About the Author

Gerald Holton is Mallinckrodt Research Professor of Physics, and Research Professor of History of Science, Harvard University.

Reviews

In a collection of essays that don't add up to a very unified book, Holton (physics, Harvard) describes how various worldviews approach the goals of science. The overarching theme discussed at the end is not evident in early chapters, and some material appears to be written for different audiences. The first two chapters require at least a general knowledge of the history of physical science; however, later sections on rhetoric, Jeffersonian science, and the perceived decline of science are written for the lay reader. Holton wrote these essays to counter what he sees as a dangerous rise in antiscience movements. Unfortunately, by alienating many potential lay readers in the beginning, he ends up preaching to the converted, although those who read the entire volume will find some interesting insights.-- Eric D. Al bright, Galter Health Sciences Lib., Northwestern Univ., Chicago