Evidence

About this book

Eight distinguished experts from a wide range of disciplines consider the nature and the use of evidence in the modern world. Peter Lipton begins the book by analysing evidence in general philosophical terms. Carlo Ginzurg then examines the ambiguities of historical evidence. Vincent Courtillot analyses the evidence for cataclysmic geological change. Monica Grady considers the evidence for life in space. Brian Greene discusses superstring theory and the quest for a unified theory of the universe. Philip Dawid explores the uses and abuses of statistical evidence in landmark legal cases while Cherie Booth looks at the role of evidence in domestic and international law. In the final chapter Karen Armstrong considers the role of evidence in religious belief.

Contents

Introduction John Swenson-Wright, Andrew Bell and Karin Tybjerg; 1. Evidence and explanation Peter Lipton; 2. Representing the enemy: historical evidence and its ambiguities Carlo Ginzberg; 3. Evidence for catastrophes in the evolution of life and Earth Vincent Courtillot; 4. Evidence for life beyond Earth? Monica M. Grady; 5. Evidence in theory Brian Greene; 6. Statistics and the law Philip Dawid; 7. Legal evidence: judging the verities of advocates Cherie Booth; 8. Evidence for religious faith: a red herring Karen Armstrong; Notes on contributors; Index.

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Biography

John Swenson-Wright is a lecturer in the Faculty of Oriental Studies at the University of Cambridge. Andrew Bell is Director of Studies in Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic at the University of Cambridge. Karin Tybjerg is an affiliated research scholar in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Cambridge.