The Perils and Promises of Prediction in the Natural Sciences : Historical and Epistemological Perspectives

This book provides a novel approach to a key topic in the history and philosophy of science, the role and status of prediction in the natural sciences. Even in fields where the value of prediction is not disputed, the role and status of prediction may change, and it is not always clear when a prediction is worth testing.

This book provides a novel approach to a key topic in the history and philosophy of science, the role and status of prediction in the natural sciences. In contrast to most of the literature on the topic, this volume problematizes what constitutes a successful prediction. Even in fields where the value of prediction is not disputed, the role and status of prediction may change, and it is not always clear when a prediction is worth testing. Furthermore, this book examines how the gap between high-level theory and predictions of particular phenomena is bridged by using modelling and computer simulation, and concludes by discussing the dual role of scientific prediction: advancing both scientific knowledge as well as science policy. Written by top scholars in the field, this book is of great interest to historians, philosophers, and other students and scholars of science.