The author discusses the basis for scientists' claims to knowledge about the world. He looks at science historically, emphasizing not only the achievements of s... » 

The author discusses the basis for scientists' claims to knowledge about the world. He looks at science historically, emphasizing not only the achievements of scientists from Galileo onwards, but also their mistakes. He rejects the claim that all scientific knowledge is provisional, by citing examples from chemistry, biology and geology.A major feature of the book is its defence of the view that mathematics was invented rather than discovered. Full of illuminating examples and quotations, this book brings alive issues at the heart of all science. «