Preface

Summary

The thesis of this book is that there exist general principles of scientific method that are applicable across all of the sciences, undergird science's rationality, and greatly influence science's productivity and perspective. These general methodological principles involve deductive and inductive logic, probability, parsimony, and hypothesis testing as well as science's presuppositions, limitations, and bold claims of rationality and truth. The implicit contrast is with specialized techniques confined to a given discipline, such as DNA sequencing in biology. Neither specialized techniques nor general principles can substitute for one another, but rather the winning combination for scientists is mastery of both.

This book has two purposes. One purpose is to increase productivity by fostering a deep understanding of the general principles of scientific method. For instance, although few scientists are aware of this tremendous opportunity, parsimonious or simple models are often more accurate than their data, and this greater accuracy can increase repeatability, improve decisions, and accelerate progress. The other purpose is to enhance perspective on science by interrelating the sciences and humanities. A humanities-rich version of science is more engaging and beneficial than a humanities-poor version. Several of the 14 chapters of this book serve both purposes, but five, Chapters 2–6, are for enhancing perspective, whereas the following five, Chapters 7–11, are for increasing productivity.