Promotional Information

This excellent work collects a judiciously chosen group of writings on what are universally regarded as five of the most significant physical theories in the history of science. Each of the selections serves to place the development and significance of the physical theory in its historical setting as well as to shed light on important philosophical issues it raises. This is an extremely useful book that will be of benefit to anyone with an interest in the history and philosophy of science. I for one will certainly be using this volume as a source book for my courses in the history and philosophy of the physical sciences. -- Martin Tamny, The City College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York It is a pleasure to find an original addition to the small list of worthwhile books on the history and philosophy of natural science. The authors have done an excellent job assembling and organizing a selection of texts that can be used equally well at an elementary or more advanced level. No other anthology combines breadth and accuracy so well. -- Stephen Toulmin, University of Southern California This book is the result of an ambitious educational project to teach students by having them study original scientific texts selected with pedagogical shrewdness. It makes it possible for students to engage in actual scientific thinking and to do this almost entirely without mathematics and in the intellectual presence of great and imaginative creative scientists. There is no other work like it, and it has great appeal. -- Robert S. Cohen, Boston University

About the Author

Lisa M. Dolling, Arthur F. Gianelli, and Glenn N. Statile teach the history and philosophy of science on both the graduate and undergraduate levels at St. John's University. Arthur Gianelli is Chair of the Philosophy Department and the coeditor of "The Metaphysical Quest". Lisa Dolling has written and lectured on the philosophy of Niels Bohr and directs the Science and Religion project at St. John's. Glenn Statile has lectured and written on topics in cosmology and the philosophy of science.

Reviews

"[A] very attractive collection... A delight to browse and a useful assignment in any course in undergraduate physics, philosophy, or history of science."--Choice