Sweeping in scope, penetrating in analysis, and generously illustrated with exam
ples from the history of science, this new and original approach to familiar que
stions about scientific evidence and method tackles vital questions about scienc
e and its place in society. Avoiding the twin pitfalls of scientism and cynicism
, noted philosopher Susan Haack argues that, fallible and flawed as they are, th
e natural sciences have been among the most successful of human enterprises - va
luable not only for the vast, interlocking body of knowledge they have discovere
d, and not only for the technological advances that have improved our lives, but
as a manifestation of the human talent for inquiry at its imperfect but sometim
es remarkable best.
