Product Description

To Interpret the Earth is a concise and imaginative discussion of the general basis behind the scientific approach to problems within the earth sciences. It is aimed primarily at students and beginning researchers and attempts to inform them about the scientific method behind the study of the complex and dynamic systems that make up the earth’s surface. The discussion is illustrated with examples of the sort of problems typically encountered in the study of the earth’s surface, and general solutions based on a scientific approach are provided. The book will be of value particularly to undergraduate and postgraduate students in earth and environmental science, and also to researchers at all levels.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #127848 in Books
• Published on: 1998-07-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

Review
'… a concise and imaginative approach to philosophical and intellectual problems that must be faced by all earth scientists - and this reviewer would add natural scientists. It is a rigorous, challenging, and penetrating discussion of scientific method for the field scientist - excellently written, well illustrated, and superbly produced … The book should be required reading for all graduate students and faculty.' Choice

'I recommend this book to all who strive to achieve rigorous analysis in their practice of engineering geology.' Association of Engineering Geologists

'In addition to the obvious benefits of the book in the education of students, active scientists, too, will benefit from Schumm's ideas.' Sedimentary Geology

'… the stuff from which graduate seminars should be made. … [Schumm] joins a select few who have ventured from the particular to the general on the how and why of what we are doing; we owe him a debt for his efforts. … This is an admirable effort and good value for the money in terms of mental stimulation.' Journal of Geological Education

'… engaging, thought-provoking, and intensely humane.' Geological Magazine

'… a gold mine of points for discussion and argument. … I enjoyed reading and thinking about his ideas, and I will enjoy discussing the book with my students.' The Geographical Review

'… of real use to working geologists, especially those beginning their careers.' The Times Higher Education Supplement

'It is a delight to find at least one modern geologist, Stanley A. Schumm, who has not forgotten the spirit of Gilbert's words, written 110 years ago: '… whoever in publishing the results of a scientific inquiry sets forth at the same time the process by which it was attained, contributes doubly to the cause of science'.' GSA Today

Customer Reviews

An unusual thought-provoking perspective on earth science..
This short book is a collection of reflections on whether there's any such thing as a scientific method in doing Earth science. The author, an historically renowned hydrologist and geomorphologist, starts with stressing why Earth science ought to be considered fundamentally different from most other endeavours in science, and proceeds to a second chapter introducing a possible, correct path of reasoning in tackling the questions posed by the discipline. A brief but neat discussion is included of such approaches as the adoption of multiple working hypotheses, reasoning by analogies, the nature and misunderstanding of Actualism, and, in passing, but still needful as a reminder of researchers being just human, a mention of the psychological pitfalls of a "quest for the truth"... Chapter three is a systematic analysis of ten conceptual bugs invariably present in any geological study, though each in variable degree depending on the case at issue and the expertise and flair of those working on it... Rather than just potential, these problems are really inherent to the properties and dynamics of most Earth systems. No specific solutions are obviously proposed, but I agree with the statement that even just awareness of the reader that such problems do exist is a considerable step forward in itself. Which is the gist of the final chapter, guiding us through a couple of worked examples towards the realization that no tailored approach exists for all possible case studies, but a scientifically correct mindset will rather be the best lead. This is no text in the philosophy of science, its sole aim is just to have Earth scientists bear in mind the complex, way evasive nature of their subject matters. Makes for a quick byt very wise read! If you already feel so confident in your own way to take in hard data and work them out into solutions, then this essay won't be of any use.. (But then, nor will you! ) Otherwise, for all those who have time to ponder deeper on the nature of Earth science and to positively doubt on their skills, and especially those who are at the beginning of a study career in the field, Schumm's words won't give out any clearcut answers, but will make you realize there are questions arising before committing oneself to geology and negotiating the peculiar hardship of remaining ever puzzled before the complexity of the Earth. Questions that may often remain unsolved. (But one had better be aware of ! )

A must-read for geoscientists
How many geoscientists think seriously about the scientific method, and how it may be applied to their particular work? How many geoscientists explicitly consider convergence and divergence when investigating cause and process, or sensitivity and complex response when investigating geological systems? If you are a geoscientist and you have ever had nagging doubts about the science you do, this book will help you at least to figure out what the problems are. And if you are a cyclostratigrapher, this book will persuade you to do something worthwhile. It is a short, easy to read, but intensely thought provoking guide to the scientific method and how it applies to the particularly complex challenges faced in the geosciences. Highly recommended.