Hesse, Mary. The Structure of scientific inference
1974, University of California Press.
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Added by: Laura JimenezPublisher's Note: A danger of a heavily formalist approach to the structure of science is that it may lose sight of the concrete actualities on which scientific inference is exercised. On the other hand, and excessively descriptive and relativist approach fails to achieve a general systematization of models of inference. This book tries to steer a middle course between these extremes. Hesse first discusses some epistemological problems bequeathed by positivists analyses of science and also considers the problem of inductive justification of theories in relation to evidence. Following Keynes and Carnap she argues that the axioms of probability constitute the best postulate system for a logic of confirmation.Comment: Highly recommended for undergraduates. It covers many important points of the topic: confirmation theory, generalizations, causal laws… It is useful for courses in philosophy of science but it could also serve as a further reading for courses in epistemology.
Wrinch, Dorothy. On the Structure of Scientific Inquiry
1921, Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, 21: 181–210
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Added by: Viviane FairbankAbstract:
The object of this paper is the study, in some of its aspects, of the structure of scientific inquiry. The subject is a large one and covers the major part of the field of scientific methodology. We shall confine our attention more particularly to the consideration of those problems of scientific structure which occur in the case of more advanced sciences and merely outline the corresponding problems which occur primarily in sciences in the more elementary stageComment: In this paper, Wrinch discuss the different kinds of reasoning principles—probabilistic, logical, etc.—which structure scientific inquiry. She focuses in particular on the importance of logical reasoning and logic's fundamental role as the basis of scientific theory-building. The paper would likely be best suited for any discussion or course focused on early-20th-century philosophy of science and logic. Note, however, that one of the examples Wrinch uses (of an old children's rhyme) includes a racial slur, and this should be taken into consideration if/when using this text in an educational context.
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