Scientific Philosophy

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xix

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2. Basic Scientific Philosophy

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1

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   2. Introduction

      • Gustavo E. Romero

      Pages 3-5

   3. Philosophical Semantics

      • Gustavo E. Romero

      Pages 7-28

   4. Ontology

      • Gustavo E. Romero

      Pages 29-49

   5. Epistemology

      • Gustavo E. Romero

      Pages 51-70

   6. Ethics

      • Gustavo E. Romero

      Pages 71-79

   7. Aesthetics

      • Gustavo E. Romero

      Pages 81-88

3. Specific Topics

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 89-89

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   2. Mathematical Fictionalism

      • Gustavo E. Romero

      Pages 91-97

   3. Philosophical Problems of Quantum Mechanics

      • Gustavo E. Romero

      Pages 99-121

   4. Quantum Objects

      • Gustavo E. Romero

      Pages 123-131

   5. Ontological Problems of Spacetime

      • Gustavo E. Romero

      Pages 133-159

4. Back Matter

   Pages 161-188

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This textbook presents the basics of philosophy that are necessary for the student and researcher in science in order to better understand scientific work. The approach is not historical but formative: tools for semantical analysis, ontology of science, epistemology, and scientific ethics are presented in a formal and direct way. The book has two parts: one with the general theory and a second part with application to some problems such as the interpretation of quantum mechanics, the nature of mathematics, and the ontology of spacetime. The book addresses questions such as "What is meaning?", "What is truth?", "What are truth criteria in science?", "What is a theory?", "What is a model?" "What is a datum?", "What is information?", "What does it mean to understand something?", "What is space?", "What is time?", "How are these concepts articulated in science?" "What are values?" "What are the limits of science?", and many more. The philosophical views presented are "scientific" in the sense that they are informed by current science, they are relevant for scientific research, and the method adopted uses the hypothetical-deductive approach that is characteristic of science. The results and conclusions, as any scientific conclusion, are open to revision in the light of future advances. Hence, this philosophical approach opposes to dogmatic philosophy. Supported by end-of-chapter summaries and a list of special symbols used, the material will be of interest for students and researchers in both science and philosophy. The second part will appeal to physicists and mathematicians.

• Formal ontology
• Semantical analysis
• Ethics of science
• Quantum mechanics
• Ontology of Spacetime
• Epistemology
• Foundations of mathematics
• research ethics

• Instituto Argentino de Radioastronomía, Villa Elisa, Buenos Aires, Argentina

  Gustavo E. Romero

Prof. Dr. Gustavo E. Romero is GARRA group leader, Superior Researcher CONICET, and Full Professor at the University of La Plata, and a Helmholtz International Fellow. His research focuses on astroparticle physics, cosmic rays, relativistic astrophysics, black holes, and scientific philosophy.

He taught the material presented in this book in courses at the University of La Plata (Argentina), the University of San Martín (Argentina), the University of México (UNAM, México), the Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT, Germany), and the University of Barcelona (Spain).

Policies and ethics