Abstract

This book contains eight essays, of which six were previously published: "Statement," "Systematic Realism," "Philosophy and Meta-Philosophy of Science: Empiricism, Popperianism and Realism," "On Global Theories," "Methodology and Systematic Philosophy," "Surface Dazzle, Ghostly Depths: An Exposition and Critical Evaluation of van Fraassen's Vindication of Empiricism Against Realism," "Understanding and Control: An Essay on the Structural Dynamics of Human Cognition," "Evolutionary Naturalist Realism: Circa 1985." The first and eighth essays are new; the second, third, fourth, and fifth were written in 1974-1975, while the first, sixth, seventh, and eighth were written from 1980 to 1985. In all, they represent the development of Hooker's views on the philosophy of science to the present on a much broader range of topics than the title suggests, although each occurs within the framework of an exposition and defense of a realistic theory of science. Since the essays contain promissory notes for further research on numerous topics, this is not intended as a final statement of his views but as a present culmination.