TY - BOOK ID - 2743960 TI - The limits of science PY - 1999 SN - 0822957132 1322068585 0822972069 9780822972068 9780822957133 9780822957133 PB - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania : University of Pittsburgh Press, DB - UniCat KW - Science. KW - Science KW - -Natural science KW - Science of science KW - Sciences KW - Philosophy KW - SCIENCE KW - General KW - Physical Sciences & Mathematics KW - Sciences - General KW - Firearms industry and trade KW - History. KW - Philosophy. KW - -Philosophy KW - -Sciences KW - Natural science KW - History KW - Normal science KW - Philosophy of science KW - E-books KW - Natural sciences KW - Krasnyĭ putilovet︠s︡ KW - Red Putilov (Factory) KW - Putilovskiĭ zavod KW - Kirovskĭ zavod UR - https://www.unicat.be/uniCat?func=search&query=sysid:2743960 AB - Perfected science is but an idealization that provides a useful contrast to highlight the limited character of what we do and can attain. This lies at the core of various debates in the philosophy of science and Rescher's discussion focuses on the question: how far could science go in principle-what are the theoretical limits on science? He concentrates on what science can discover, not what it should discover. He explores in detail the existence of limits or limitations on scientific inquiry, especially those that, in principle, preclude the full realization of the aims of science, as opposed to those that relate to economic obstacles to scientific progress. Rescher also places his argument within the politics of the day, where "strident calls of ideological extremes surround us," ranging from the exaggeration that "science can do anything"--To the antiscientism that views science as a costly diversion we would be well advised to abandon. Rescher offers a middle path between these two extremes and provides an appreciation of the actual powers and limitations of science, not only to philosophers of science but also to a larger, less specialized audience. ER -