Introducing the Book The Laboratory of the Mind

The book The Laboratory of the Mind; Thought Experiments in the Natural Sciences, translated by Mohammad Hossein Dabbagh, a publication of Hermes Publishing, in 276 pages, priced at 120,000 Rials, is available at the Serat Publications bookstore. Those interested in purchasing this book can visit from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM at the address: Palestine Square, West Taleghani Street, North Sarparast Street, Tabriz Alley, No. 19, and for more information, contact telephone numbers 13 – 88976211. Introduction to The Laboratory of the Mind How scientific theories are ensnared and how they are justified and explained are among the serious issues in the philosophy of science. In this context, some philosophers of science, such as Karl Popper, emphasize the context of justification and defend the status of theory justification, while others foreground the context of discovery and speak of how theories emerge; the former raises an epistemological discussion, and the latter harbors a sociological perspective. The present book, The Laboratory of the Mind, written by James Brown, a contemporary Canadian philosopher of science, can be placed in the latter category. He is currently a professor of philosophy of science at the University of Toronto. Among his other works are Philosophy of Mathematics, The Rational and the Social, and Who Rules in Science? The translators of this work are primarily philosophy students from Beheshti University. The reason is that they were all students of the late Alavi Nia and did so at his recommendation. The first chapter of the book was undertaken by Zarrin Monajati, a doctoral student in environmental ethics. The second, third, and fourth chapters were translated by Mohammad Izadi, Hanif Amin Bidokhti, and Hossein Dabbagh, respectively, all graduates of Western philosophy. Finally, the fifth chapter was completed by Iman Aghababaei, a graduate of philosophy of science, and the sixth chapter by Ebrahim Baset, a graduate of physics and philosophy. Undoubtedly, this work owes itself to the efforts of Ms. Naghmeh Rabiei and Mr. Soroush Razmi, who refined the translated text without recompense or bribe and, in some cases, collated it with the original text. Dr. Hossein Sheikh Rezaei also offered his thoughts on some specialized terms, for which the translators are grateful. Lastly, the efforts of Mr. Mohammad Razmi, the esteemed managing director of Serat Publications, in publishing this work must be praised. It is hoped that the translation of this work will have a beneficial impact on the philosophical community of Iran. Hossein Dabbagh Persian Editor