A realist theory of science / Roy Bhaskar.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [263]-272) and indexes.

-- Contents Preface Preface to the Second Edition Inroduction Chapter 1. Philosophy and Scientific Realism 1. Two Sides of Knowledge 2. Three Traditions in the Philosophy of Science 3. The Transcendental Analysis of Experience a. The Analysis of Perception born The Analysis of Experimental Activity 4. The Status of Ontology and Its Dissolution in Classical Philosophy 5. Ontology Vindicated and The Real Basis of Causal Laws 6. A Sketch of a Critique of Empirical Realism Chapter 2. Actualism and the Concept of a Closure 1. Introduction: On the Actuality of the Causal Connection 2. Regularity Determinism and the Quest for a Closure 3. The Classical Paradigm of Action 4. Actualism and Transcendental Realism: The Interpretation of Normic Statements 5. Autonomy and Reduction 6. Explanation in Open Systems Appendix. Orthodox Philosophy of Science and the Implications of Open Systems Chapter 3. the Logic of Scientific Discovery 1. Introduction: On the Contingency of the Causal Connection 2. The Surplus-Element in the Analysis of Law-like Statements: A Critique of the Theory of Models 3. Natural Necessity And Natural Kinds: The Stratification of Nature and The Stratification of Science 4. The Social Production of Knowledge by Means of Knowledge 5. Objections to the Account of Natural Necessity Proposed 6. The Problem of Induction Appendix. Natural Tendencies and Causal Powers Chapter 4. Metaphysics and the Philosophy of Science Postscript to the Second Edition Bibliography Index of Names Index of Subjects