Theory Change in Science

This book examines the processes involved in the birth and development of new scientific ideas. The author has searched for strategies used by scientists for producing new theories, both those that yield a range of plausible hypotheses and ones that aid in narrowing that range. She goes on to focus on the development of the theory of the gene as a case study in scientific creativity. Her discussion of modern genetics aims to demystify the philosophy of science, and to establish a realistic framework for understanding how scientists actually go about their work. This work should be of interest to philosophers of science, historians of science, geneticists, computer science/artificial intelligence researchers and cognitive psychologists.