EPSA Philosophical Issues in the Sciences

Mauricio Suar ' ez, Mauro Dorato, and Miklos ' Redei ' These two volumescontaina selection of the papersdeliveredat the rst conference of the European Philosophy of Science Association (EPSA) which took place in Madrid,at ComplutenseUniversity,from14to 17November2007. The rst volume is entitled Epistemology and Methodology, and includes papers mainly concerned with general philosophy of science, rationality, and method. The second volume, devoted to Philosophical Issues in the Sciences, includes papers concerned with the philosophy of the sciences, particularly physics, economics, chemistry and - ology. Overall the selection has been very severe and took place in two stages. The 30-strong conference programme committee chaired by Mauro Dorato and Miklos ' R' edei rst selected 160 papers forpresentationout of 410 abstracts submitted. After the conference the three of us went on to further select 60 papers among those - livered. The selection was made on the recommendation of the members of the programme committee and the chairs of the conference sessions, who were invited to nominatetheirfavouritepapersandprovidereasonsfortheir choices. Everypaper included in these volumes has been independently nominated by at least two ref- ees. There are thus good grounds to the claim that these essays constitute some of most signi cant and important research presently carried out in the philosophy of science throughoutEurope. The two volumes also represent the rst tangible outcome of the newly born EPSA. Together with the conference they in effect constitute the launching of the Association.