The Advancement of Science: Science Without Legend, Objectivity Without Illusions

Kitcher's work is a masterpiece of using historical evidence to show the nature of scientific investigation. Science may be a fallible, human activity, but as Einstein put it, it is the most precious thing we have. Kitcher's book will show how and why, and elegantly refutes many arguments to the contrary, including most notably the strongest readings of Kuhn's famous _The Structure of Scientific Revolutions_. In particular, Kitcher's analysis of Lavoisier's experiments is outstanding. My only complaint is that the book does strike me as having a bit of retreading the same points several times.