Contemporary philosophy of science has paid close attention to the understanding of scientific practice, in contrast to the previous focus on scientific method. This work shows the deficiencies of many widespread ideas about the nature of knowledge. It argues that the only feasible explanation of any scientific success is a historical account.

Beyond Popper and Kuhn to an anarchist philosophy of science.

“A devastating attack on the claims of philosophy to legislate for scientific practice.”—New Society

“A brilliant polemic.”—New Scientist

“Since it was first published in 1975, Against Method has followed Popper’s The Logic of Scientific Discovery and Kuhn’s The Structure of Scientific Revolutions into becoming a classic text in the debate about scientific methodology and scientific reasoning.”—The Philosopher

“A powerful critique.”—London Review of Books

“Against Method is more than a book: it is an event.”—Archives de Philosophie