Uncertainty

The concept of uncertainty affords an excellent subject, as all scientific endeavors begin with an attempt to eliminate uncertainty through non-scientific trials. There would be no need to explore things scientifically if certainty existed. This book also examines the psychology of uncertainty. The authors consider numerous significant domains, e.g., climate, vaccination, genetic testing and others, pointing out that science thrives on uncertainty. * F. W. Yow, emeritus, Kenyon College, Choice *
Accepting the ubiquity of uncertainty in science is a start, but learning how to not let uncertainty get in the way of understanding is the critical next step. This book emphasises that latter goal in a way that can inform both students and their instructors. The book makes a rigorous effort to define what it terms 'genuine' scientific understanding and to contrast that effortful, evidence-based end-point with the kind of common-sense, perceived understanding that we embrace in our day-to-day lives. All told, though.... an excellent and readable treatment of uncertainty. It offers a good starting point for scholars who seek an introduction to the concept, and it should find its way onto reading lists in courses from communication to the sciences. * Public Understanding of Science *
This book provides a conceptual framework for uncertainty, shows how uncertainty is endemic to science, and explains for nonscientists how to better understand both science and uncertainty. Written by a science education researcher, and a philospher of science, it is impressively accessible and competent about the conduct and content of actual science. I heartily recommend it. * Quarterly Review of Biology *
Through case studies that include climate science, vaccination, and human evolution, Kampourakis and McCain emphasize not only why uncertainty is inherent to the continual advancement of science, but also how a misunderstanding of this fact is repeatedly used by special interests to mislead the public. With quotations from an impressively wide range of sources - from philosophers to outstanding scientists - this short book will motivate its readers to think deeply about what is meant by 'scientific understanding', as well as to explore the valuable references that are cited, many of which they would otherwise miss. * Bruce Alberts, Chancellor's Leadership Chair in Biochemistry and Biophysics for Science and Education, University of California, San Francisco, Former Editor-in-Chief, Science magazine (2008-2013), President Emeritus, US National Academy of Sciences (1993-2005) *
Kampourakis and McCain have produced a provocative book of enumerable insights. They have navigated skillfully through a bramble bush of prickly problems and come out of it with a coherent analysis of science that elevates the concept of "uncertainty" without diminishing the standing of science. As one trained in and familiar with the scholarship of philosophy of science, I appreciated every line of inquiry and every argument in the book. To me it brings together philosophy of science, social psychology and the social studies of science in a way that explains human behavior and irrational skepticism towards strongly supported scientific claims. * Sheldon Krimsky, Lenore Stern Professor of Humanities & Social Sciences, Tufts University *
This is a wonderfully clear and engaging book on a very important and topical issue: How can science contribute to solving the problems society faces today? The cases are well chosen and the philosophical chapters do a great job in synthesizing many insights from recent philosophy of science into a coherent whole. The book succeeds admirably in showing the societal relevance of philosophical reflection on science. * Henk de Regt, Professor of Philosophy of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam *
The authors integrate ideas from scientists working in a variety of disciplines including physics, cognitive science, philosophy, and mathematics and present them in a lucid manner that makes it easy for the lay reader to grasp the essence of their messages. * Jozsef Fiser, Perception *
They eloquently highlight the critical role of uncertainty in advancing science, which can be nicely applied to the challenges and progresses we have seen during the pandemic. Importantly, this book emphasizes why we as the general public should learn how to appreciate uncertainty as a resource to advance science understanding, as scientists do. * Ying Chih Chen, Science & Education *
Kostas Kampourakis and Kevin McCain's Uncertainty-How it Makes Science Advance has the merit of taking a complex philosophical topic-i.e., how scientific practice and knowledge relate to epistemic and psychological uncertainty- and make it accessible to the general public. It also has the virtue of reminding us philosophers of science that our abstract discussions, when contextualized and approached in the right way, can be extremely relevant for social concerns. What this book offers to the reader is a clear, illustrative guide for understanding that there's knowledge, understanding, and rationality in science even in the absence of certainty-and, to an extent, precisely because of it. * Cristina Villegas, Reseñas *