Shaping Scientific Thought

"In Everyday Practice of Science, Frederick Grinnell offers an insider's view of real-life scientific practice. Although scientific facts are often so complicated that only experts can appreciate the details, the underlying practice that gives rise to such facts should be understandable to everyone interested in science. Grinnell demystifies the textbook model of a linear "scientific method," suggesting instead a contextual understanding of science. Scientists do not work in objective isolation, he argues, but are motivated by interests and passions. The author shows that balancing scientific opportunities with societal needs depends on a clear understanding of both the promises and the ambiguities of science. Understanding practice informs policy. Society cannot have the benefits of research without the risks. In closing, Grinnell presents the practices of science and religion as reflective of different types of faith and describes a holistic framework within which they dynamically interact."--Page 4 of cover.