From Lucretius throwing a spear beyond the boundary of the universe to Einstein racing against a beam of light, thought experiments stand as a fascinating challenge to the necessity of data in the empirical sciences. Are these experiments, conducted uniquely in our imagination, simply rhetorical devices or communication tools or are they an essential part of scientific practice? This volume surveys the current state of the debate and explores new avenues of research into the epistemology of thought experiments.

From Lucretius throwing a spear beyond the boundary of the universe to Einstein racing against a beam of light, thought experiments stand as a fascinating challenge to the necessity of data in the empirical sciences. Are these experiments, conducted uniquely in our imagination, simply rhetorical devices or communication tools or are they an essential part of scientific practice? This volume surveys the current state of the debate and explores new avenues of research into the epistemology of thought experiments.

A new and comprehensive examination of the history of the modern physical and mathematical sciences.

Perception and Cognition at Century's End contains cognitive psychology surveys that are up-to-date and historically based, as well as references to the development of cognitive psychology over the past century. The book can serve as a central or specialized text for a range of psychology courses. - Written by prominent active researchers in the field - Presents broad coverage of perception and cognition - Considers perception and cognition in the context of the thought of the past half-century - Contains extensive references; excellent resource