A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy

John F. W. Herschel

University of Chicago Press, May 15, 1987 - Science - 400 pages

Originally published in 1830, this book can be called the first modern work in the philosophy of science, covering an extraordinary range of philosophical, methodological, and scientific subjects.

"Herschel's book . . . brilliantly analyzes both the history and nature of science."—Keith Stewart Thomson, American Scientist

About the author

John F. Herschel (1792-1871) was a fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge, and one of the most important British scientists of the nineteenth century. The son of astronomer William Herschel, John Herschel was also known for his influential role in British astronomy and in science generally.

Bibliographic information

• Title: A Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy
• Author: John F. W. Herschel
• Edition: reprint
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press, 1987
• ISBN: 0226327779, 9780226327778
• Length: 400 pages
• Subjects: Science / General; Science / Philosophy & Social Aspects