Peter Alexander

Sensationalism and Scientific Explanation is a critical examination of the view that scientific statements can be understood only in terms of basic ‘atoms’ of experience, also called ‘sensations’.Presenting different extremes of this view, the book considers whether it can provide an adequate account of science as we find it. It explores in detail the sensationalist account of science set out by Ernst Mach in relation to various aspects of scientific investigation and theorizing, and puts forward an argument for the ‘inherent weakness of sensationalism’. Sensationalism and Scientific Explanation will appeal to those with an interest in the history and philosophy of science.

Station Square, a new and massive development set on The Thames is on the one hand a glittering tribute to financial worth but is on the other a subtle front for international money laundering on a vast international scale. But also infused into this development is a killer who makes his gruesome presence known on opening day by killing not one but two office workers in different parts of the complex. As murders rise almost on a weekly basis the level of absenteeism increases dramatically. But the really baffling key to this story is that the killer commits his crimes impertinently in highly populated places but isn't seen nor heard This nerve-wracking fact alone brings the establishment to its knees putting unrelenting pressure on the Police, the Government and most of all the international criminal outfits who have a stake in the enterprise. A legendary Detective, Inspector Dean White, is framed on the very first day of the crimes so as to allow a bent copper in the employ of the London Gang Boss to head up the operation. An American reporter working on the criminal raison d' tre behind Station square enlists the help of White now that he is on garden leave. Her help helps him towards ultimate success is at great cost.White forces a highly dangerous deal to get himself re-instated and so to identify the killer and the modus operandi that goes with it- all in five days This timetable takes White on a flight via Newquay to an SAS division in Okehampton, a visit to Herts Uni' to explore the benefits of Forensic Psychology and the reader to a warehouse in Amsterdam and then finally to a North Sea crossing to Harwich.The story weaves continually around a number of strong characters who frequently enter into and out of the plot and contribute fully to the final conclusion. All the various strands combine together at a pivotal meeting at the now totally dark and dismal Station Square. White, on the very last hours of the imposed timetable, unravels the killer's modus operandi. Also, a huge drugs deal is fortunately intercepted, the killer is identified, the crime boss is arrested, the corrupt Police Officer is 'dealt' with and the ways and means of the murders are solved.

Sensationalism and Scientific Explanation is a critical examination of the view that scientific statements can be understood only in terms of basic ‘atoms’ of experience, also called ‘sensations’.Presenting different extremes of this view, the book considers whether it can provide an adequate account of science as we find it. It explores in detail the sensationalist account of science set out by Ernst Mach in relation to various aspects of scientific investigation and theorizing, and puts forward an argument for the ‘inherent weakness of sensationalism’. Sensationalism and Scientific Explanation will appeal to those with an interest in the history and philosophy of science.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface.We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Originally published in 1969. This book is for undergraduates whether specializing in philosophy or not. It assumes no previous knowledge of logic but aims to show how logical notions arise from, or are abstracted from, everyday discourse, whether technical or non-technical. It sets out a knowledge of principles and, while not historical, gives an account of the reasons for which modern systems have emerged from the traditional syllogistic logic, demonstrating how certain central ideas have developed. The text explains the connections between everyday reasoning and formal logic and works up to a brief sketch of systems of propositional calculus and predicate-calculus, using both the axiomatic method and the method of natural deduction. It provides a self-contained introduction but for those who intend to study the subject further it contains many suggestions and a sound basis for more advanced study.

Originally published in 1969. This book is for undergraduates whether specializing in philosophy or not. It assumes no previous knowledge of logic but aims to show how logical notions arise from, or are abstracted from, everyday discourse, whether technical or non-technical. It sets out a knowledge of principles and, while not historical, gives an account of the reasons for which modern systems have emerged from the traditional syllogistic logic, demonstrating how certain central ideas have developed. The text explains the connections between everyday reasoning and formal logic and works up to a brief sketch of systems of propositional calculus and predicate-calculus, using both the axiomatic method and the method of natural deduction. It provides a self-contained introduction but for those who intend to study the subject further it contains many suggestions and a sound basis for more advanced study.

The book presents findings and analysis from six years of research on class structure and class identity in Soweto, South Africa’s most populous and politically-important township. This is placed within the context of heightened socio-economic inequalities in nearly all countries around the world. The authors looked at a number of areas. How do Sowetans understand class and how do they locate themselves and each other within the broad divisions of class outline? What are the markers and indicators that influence their perceptions of class and does the terminology of class affect these perceptions through dilution into indigenous languages. Setting out class structure and class identity, with its extremes of unemployment, strike action and ongoing insurrectionary unrest among the urban poor, the book draws on a large, wide-ranging representative survey and extensive qualitative fieldwork. It makes an original contribution to the sociology of class and to the politics of contemporary South Africa.

Originally published in 1929, this book contains an examination of Shakespeare's three-part Henry VI and its 'sequel', Richard III. Alexander addresses a number of questions regarding the integrity of the texts of both plays, whether or not Shakespeare wrote them in collaboration with another author, and possible interpolations from other plays. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in Shakespeare, particularly his histories.

The Marikana Massacre of August 16, 2012, was the single most lethal use of force by South African security forces against civilians since the end of apartheid. Those killed were mineworkers in support of a pay raise. Through a series of interviews conducted with workers who survived the attack, this account documents and examines the controversial shootings in great detail, beginning with a valuable history of the events leading up to the killing of workers, and including eyewitness accounts of the violence and interviews with family members of those who perished. While the official Farlam Commission investigation of the massacre is still ongoing, many South Africans do not hold much confidence in the government's ability to examine its own complicity in these events. Marikana, on the other hand, examines the various roles played by the African National Congress, the mine company, and the National Union of Mineworkers in creating the conditions that led to the massacre. While the commission's investigations take place in a courtroom setting tilted toward those in power, Marikana documents testimony from the mineworkers in the days before official statements were even gathered, offering an unusually immediate and unfiltered look at the reality from the perspective of those most directly affected. Enhanced by vivid maps that make clear the setting and situation of the events, Marikana is an invaluable work of history, journalism, sociology, and activism.

The Marikana Massacre of August 16, 2012, was the single most lethal use of force by South African security forces against civilians since the end of apartheid. Those killed were mineworkers in support of a pay raise. Through a series of interviews conducted with workers who survived the attack, this account documents and examines the controversial shootings in great detail, beginning with a valuable history of the events leading up to the killing of workers, and including eyewitness accounts of the violence and interviews with family members of those who perished. While the official Farlam Commission investigation of the massacre is still ongoing, many South Africans do not hold much confidence in the government's ability to examine its own complicity in these events. Marikana, on the other hand, examines the various roles played by the African National Congress, the mine company, and the National Union of Mineworkers in creating the conditions that led to the massacre. While the commission's investigations take place in a courtroom setting tilted toward those in power, Marikana documents testimony from the mineworkers in the days before official statements were even gathered, offering an unusually immediate and unfiltered look at the reality from the perspective of those most directly affected. Enhanced by vivid maps that make clear the setting and situation of the events, Marikana is an invaluable work of history, journalism, sociology, and activism.

This study presents a substantial and often radical reinterpretation of some of the central themes of Locke's thought. Professor Alexander concentrates on the Essay Concerning Human Understanding and aims to restore that to its proper historical context. In Part I he gives a clear exposition of some of the scientific theories of Robert Boyle, which, he argues, heavily influenced Locke in employing similar concepts and terminology. Against this background, he goes on in Part II to provide an account of Locke's views on the external world and our knowledge of it. He shows those views to be more consistent and plausible than is generally allowed, demonstrating how they make sense and enable scientific explanations of nature. In examining the views of Locke and Boyle together, the book throws light both on the development of philosophy and the beginnings of modern science, and in particular it makes a considerable and original contribution to our understanding of Locke's philosophy.

Through historical and bibliographical research, and through analysis of Shakespeare's work, the author places Shakespeare among the supreme artists of the world. In the first two chapters he examines the facts about Shakespeare's career as a dramatist and summarizes the unfavorable judgments created by his early biographers. In subsequent chapters Professor Alexander establishes an order among the plays that reveals a gradual development of Shakespeare's art.