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The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Science

The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Science

Paul Humphreys is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Virginia. His current research interests include computational science, emergence, and heterodox economics. Recent publications include Extending Ourselves: Computational Science, Empiricism and Scientific Method (Oxford, 2004); and Emergence: Contemporary Readings in Science and Philosophy, co‐edited with Mark Bedau (MIT Press, 2008).

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This Handbook provides the reader with access to core areas in the philosophy of science and to new directions in the discipline. Part I contains broad overviews of the main lines of research and the state of established knowledge in six principal areas of the discipline, including computational, physical, biological, psychological, and social sciences, as well as general philosophy of science. Part II covers what are considered to be the traditional topics in the philosophy of science such as causation, probability, models, ethics and values, and explanation. Part III identifies new areas of investigation that show promise of becoming important areas of research, including the philosophy of astronomy and astrophysics, data, complexity theory, neuroscience, simulations, post-Kuhnian philosophy, post-empiricist epistemology, and emergence. Most chapters are accessible to scientifically educated non-philosophers as well as to professional philosophers. The authors bring different perspectives from the North American, European, and Australasian research communities, and all are leading researchers in their fields. All the contributors were encouraged to provide a new perspective on the topic at hand in addition to providing basic information about the subject.

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Philosophy of Research: An Introduction

  • First Online: 30 August 2023

Cite this chapter

philosophy of science research papers

  • Santosh Kumar Yadav 2  

249 Accesses

The word research itself is a combination of “ re ” and “ search ,” which is meant by a systematic investigation to gain new knowledge from already existing facts. Frankly speaking, research may be defined as a scientific understanding of existing knowledge and deriving new knowledge to be applied for the betterment of the mankind. In the words of Wernher von Braun (a German philosopher), “ Research is what I’m doing when I don’t know what I’m doing .” It is basically the search for truth/facts. The significant contribution of research deals with the progress of the nation as well as an individual with commercial, social, and educational advantages. Albert Szent Gyorgyi (Hungarian Biochemist, Nobel Prize 1937) writes “ Research is to see what everybody else has seen and think what nobody has thought .” Research may be an important parameter to judge the development of any nation/generation. According to Clifford Woody (American philosopher, 1939), “ Research comprises of defining and redefining problems, formulating the hypothesis for suggested solutions, collecting, organizing and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusion and further testing the conclusion whether they fit into formulating the hypothesis .” The major objectives of research are to find out a hidden and undiscovered truth of the nature/society. There are various objectives behind undertaking research by individuals as well as various organizations/universities. Some philosophical objectives behind any research include:

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Further Reading

Bairagi V, Munot MV (2019) Research methodology. A practical and scientific approach. CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group, New York, NY

Book   Google Scholar  

Brandenburg R, McDonough S (2019) Ethics, self-study research methodology and teacher education. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd., Cham

Bridges D (2017) Philosophy in educational research: epistemology, ethics, politics and quality. Springer International Publishing AG, Cham

Chawla D, Sondhi N (2015) Research methodology: concepts and cases. Vikas® Publishing House Pvt Ltd, New Delhi

Google Scholar  

Jain S (2019) Research methodology in arts, science and humanities. Society Publishing, Oakville, ON

Kothari CR (2004) Research methodology: methods and techniques. New Age International (P) Ltd, New Delhi

Kumar R (2011) Research methodology: a step-by-step guide for beginners. SAGE Publications India Pvt Ltd, New Delhi

Novikov AM, Novikov DA (2013) Research methodology: from philosophy of science to research design. CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL

Pring R (2000) Philosophy of educational research. Continuum, London

Pruzan P (2016) Research methodology: the aims, practices and ethics of science. Springer International Publishing Switzerland, Cham

Smeyers P, Depaepe M (2018) Educational research: ethics, social justice, and funding dynamics. Springer International Publishing AG, (part of Springer Nature), Cham

Yadav SK (2015) Elements of research writing. UDH Publishers and Distributers, New Delhi

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Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Shri Jagdishprasad Jhabarmal Tibrewala University, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, India

Santosh Kumar Yadav

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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Santosh Kumar Yadav .

Review Questions

Explain the term “research” in view of two philosophers.

Briefly describe the different steps involved in a research process.

Describe the different types of research, clearly pointing out the difference between an experiment and a survey.

“Empirical research in India in particular creates so many problems for the researchers.” State the problems that are usually faced by such researchers.

“Creative management, whether in public administration or private industry, depends on methods of inquiry that maintain objectivity, clarity, accuracy, and consistency.” Discuss this statement and examine the significance of research.

What is research problem? Define the main issues which should receive the attention of the researcher in formulating the research problem. Give suitable examples to elucidate your points.

“Knowing what data are available often serves to narrow down the problem itself as well as the technique that might be used.” Explain the underlying idea in this statement in the context of defining a research problem.

What is research design? Discuss the basis of stratification to be employed in sampling public opinion on inflation.

Give your understanding of a good research design. Is single research design suitable in all research studies? If not, why?

“It is never safe to take published statistics at their face value without knowing their meaning and limitations.” Elucidate this statement by enumerating and explaining the various points which you would consider before using any published data. Illustrate your answer by examples wherever possible.

“Experimental method of research is not suitable in management field.” Discuss, what are the problems in the introduction of this research design in business organization?

What are common features of good research?

How many ways the philosophical scientific knowledge may be classified in the research?

Explain Wilfred Carr’s concept of educational philosophy and theory.

What is the difference between philosophy of research and philosophy in research?

What is the physical relationship between learning and experience?

What is the impact of action research on the scholar’s learning?

What are philosophical features of a good research study?

Explain the role of a philosopher in an interdisciplinary research.

Write Short Notes on the following:

Educational Research and Philosophy

Philosopher in the Classroom

Educational Research: Pursuit of Truth

Interdisciplinary Research

Pragmatic Theory of Knowledge

Ethical Codes and Academic Independence

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Yadav, S.K. (2023). Philosophy of Research: An Introduction. In: Research and Publication Ethics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-26971-4_1

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Philosophy of Science Research Paper Topics

Academic Writing Service

This page provides a comprehensive list of philosophy of science research paper topics , designed to usher students into the vast realm of the interplay between philosophy and scientific inquiry. As the study of philosophy of science continues to evolve, there’s an increasing need for students to delve deeply into its multifaceted avenues, understanding not just the foundational principles but also the emerging debates and discussions. From examining the underlying assumptions that drive scientific research to scrutinizing the ethical dimensions of modern scientific practices, the philosophy of science offers a myriad of avenues for intellectual exploration. This list will serve as both a starting point for novices and a deep dive for those already familiar with some aspects of the field, ensuring that every student can find a topic tailored to their interests and academic goals.

100 Philosophy of Science Research Paper Topics

In the quest to fathom the universe and our place within it, humanity has leaned on both science and philosophy as guiding lights. The philosophy of science, as a discipline, dives deep into the analysis of scientific practice and the conceptual foundations of science. It critically examines the nature of scientific knowledge, the practice of scientific inquiry, and the interplay of science with other societal elements. For students looking to understand the broader context in which scientific theories arise, evolve, and sometimes fade away, exploring philosophy of science research paper topics offers invaluable insights.

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  • Logic and Scientific Reasoning.
  • Induction, Deduction, and Abduction in Science.
  • Falsifiability as a Criterion for Scientific Theory.
  • The Role of Observation and Experimentation.
  • Theory-ladenness of Observation.
  • The Duhem-Quine Thesis.
  • Confirmation and Empirical Content.
  • Science and Pseudoscience: Demarcation Problem.
  • The Underdetermination of Theories.
  • Models and Analogies in Science.
  • Presocratic Natural Philosophers.
  • Aristotelian Science.
  • The Scientific Renaissance.
  • Logical Positivism and Logical Empiricism.
  • Popper’s Critical Rationalism.
  • Kuhn’s Structure of Scientific Revolutions.
  • Lakatos and Research Programs.
  • Feyerabend’s Epistemological Anarchy.
  • The Evolution of Scientific Explanation.
  • The Emergence of Quantum Mechanics and its Philosophical Implications.
  • The Copernican Revolution.
  • The Darwinian Revolution.
  • Einstein’s Relativity and its Impact.
  • Quantum Mechanics: A New Worldview.
  • The Double Helix and the New Biology.
  • Shifts in Geoscience: From Geocentrism to Plate Tectonics.
  • The Rise of Systems Biology.
  • The Cognitive Revolution in Psychology.
  • Big Bang Theory: A Cosmological Revolution.
  • The Digital Revolution and Computational Sciences.
  • The Debate on Scientific Realism.
  • Arguments for and against Anti-realism.
  • Instrumentalism: A Middle Path?
  • Structural Realism.
  • Entity Realism.
  • Theories of Truth in Science.
  • The No Miracles Argument.
  • The Pessimistic Meta-induction Argument.
  • Realism about Theories vs. Realism about Entities.
  • The Ontic and Epistemic Views of Scientific Explanation.
  • The Nature of Scientific Laws.
  • Causation in Scientific Theories.
  • Regularity Theories of Causal Relations.
  • Counterfactual Theories of Causation.
  • Probabilistic Causation.
  • The Issue of Time in Causation.
  • Laws Underlying Randomness and Chaos.
  • Reductionism and Emergent Properties.
  • Mechanisms in Scientific Explanation.
  • The Role of Mathematics in Science.
  • Ethics in Clinical Trials.
  • Dual-use Dilemma in Scientific Research.
  • Environmental Ethics and Science.
  • Neuroethics: Implications of Neuroscience.
  • Genetic Engineering and Moral Concerns.
  • Science, Technology, and Society: Ethical Interactions.
  • The Ethical Dimensions of Artificial Intelligence.
  • Responsibility in Scientific Communication.
  • Animal Experimentation: Ethical Pros and Cons.
  • Data Privacy and Bioinformatics.
  • The Social Construction of Scientific Knowledge.
  • Science and Gender: Feminist Epistemology.
  • Ethnoscience and Traditional Knowledge Systems.
  • Public Understanding of Science.
  • Science Communication and Media.
  • Science Education and Cultural Context.
  • Science Policy and Governance.
  • The Role of Science in Democracy.
  • Scientific Consensus and Controversies.
  • The Relationship between Science, Industry, and Politics.
  • Science and Religion: Conflict or Coexistence?
  • Evolution vs. Creationism Debate.
  • Cosmology, Big Bang, and Religious Interpretations.
  • The Anthropic Principle and Design Arguments.
  • Neurotheology: The Neural Basis of Religious Experiences.
  • Miracles: A Philosophical Examination.
  • The Concept of Soul in Science and Religion.
  • Ethics: Secular vs. Religious Perspectives.
  • Natural Theology and its Critiques.
  • Non-Western Perspectives on Science and Spirituality.
  • Interpretations of Quantum Mechanics.
  • The Challenge of Dark Matter and Dark Energy.
  • Complexity and Emergence in Science.
  • Cognitive Science and the Nature of Consciousness.
  • The Problem of Measurement in Science.
  • Climate Science and Controversies.
  • Evolutionary Psychology: Promises and Pitfalls.
  • Neuroplasticity and the Changing Brain.
  • The Limits of Computability.
  • Theoretical Challenges in Modern Cosmology.
  • Futuristic Perspectives on the Philosophy of Science.
  • Posthumanism and the Future of Humanity.
  • The Singularity: Myth or Inevitable Future?
  • Ethics of Advanced AI and Superintelligent Machines.
  • The Philosophy of Virtual Realities.
  • Predictive Science and its Implications.
  • Synthetic Biology and the Creation of Life.
  • Space Exploration and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life.
  • The Future of Medicine: Personalized, Predictive, and Preventive.
  • The Post-Truth Era: Science in a World of Alternative Facts.
  • Teleportation, Time Travel, and Other Scientific Frontiers.

The world of philosophy of science is vast, dynamic, and perpetually relevant, making the selection of philosophy of science research paper topics both an exciting and daunting task for students. These topics don’t just represent isolated academic inquiries; they influence and are influenced by the way we think, act, and perceive our world. It is the fusion of science, with its empirical rigor, and philosophy, with its reflective depth, that makes these topics an indispensable part of a student’s intellectual journey. As the next generation of philosophers of science, students have an unmatched opportunity to shape the discourse on the very nature and direction of scientific endeavor.

The Range of Philosophy of Science Research Paper Topics

Introduction

Science and philosophy are two stalwarts that have guided human understanding for centuries. While science seeks empirical explanations, philosophy delves into the conceptual foundations and implications of those explanations. The philosophy of science, then, acts as a bridge, linking these two domains and providing insights into the nature, methods, and values of scientific endeavors. For the budding philosopher or scientist, exploring the intertwined relationship between science and philosophy is not only enlightening but also pivotal for holistic academic growth.

Expansive Array of Topics Within Philosophy of Science

At first glance, the philosophy of science might seem like a narrow field. However, as one delves deeper, it becomes evident that the topics within this discipline are as varied as they are profound. From understanding the nature and structure of scientific theories to examining the ethical implications of scientific practices, the range is vast. Topics like scientific realism, causation, and demarcation between science and pseudoscience challenge students to question and reflect upon the fundamental aspects of scientific knowledge.

Historical Milestones in Scientific Philosophy

Tracing the history of the philosophy of science is akin to tracing the evolution of human thought. The ancients, from Aristotle to the medieval Islamic scholars, laid the groundwork for understanding the natural world. Their ideas, although sometimes flawed from a modern perspective, set the stage for the Scientific Revolution. Thinkers like Thomas Kuhn, with his concept of paradigm shifts, or Karl Popper, emphasizing falsifiability as a cornerstone of scientific validity, revolutionized how we think about scientific progress and knowledge. The transition from a time when science was indistinguishable from philosophy to an era of specialized scientific disciplines tells a tale of human achievement and the relentless pursuit of understanding.

Philosophy of Science: The Backbone of Scientific Advancements

At the heart of every significant scientific advancement, there lies a philosophical question. For instance, the shift from Newtonian mechanics to Einstein’s theory of relativity was not just a change in equations but a profound alteration in our understanding of space, time, and reality. Philosophical scrutiny is what differentiates science from mere observation. It raises questions like: “What counts as evidence?” “Are there limits to understanding?” “How do scientific models relate to reality?” Such reflections ensure that science remains grounded, self-critical, and progressive.

Another significant contribution of the philosophy of science is its emphasis on the ethical dimensions of scientific practices. As science advances, it often ventures into territories that were once the domain of speculative fiction: genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, to name a few. Philosophers of science prompt us to ask not just “Can we?” but also “Should we?” By doing so, they ensure that scientific advancements benefit humanity and respect our shared values.

Significance of Selecting the Right Research Paper Topics

For a student of philosophy or science, selecting the right research paper topic is crucial. It’s not just about academic grades but about sparking a genuine interest and passion for the subject. Engaging with the right topic can lead to profound insights and even lay the foundation for future academic or research pursuits.

Diving deep into a topic like the ethical implications of AI, for instance, might lead one to explore the realms of cognitive science, machine learning, and moral philosophy. On the other hand, exploring the philosophical challenges posed by quantum mechanics might push students to grapple with the very nature of reality and causality.

In essence, the topic chosen becomes a window to the vast expanse of knowledge and inquiry, guiding the student’s academic trajectory. It’s no exaggeration to say that a well-chosen research topic in the philosophy of science can shape the intellectual growth of the individual, pushing boundaries and illuminating uncharted territories of thought.

The philosophy of science, with its myriad research paper topics, stands as a testament to humanity’s relentless pursuit of understanding. It’s not just an academic discipline but a reflection of our collective journey through time, charting our advancements, our questions, our challenges, and our aspirations. In today’s academic landscape, where interdisciplinarity and critical thinking are prized, the philosophy of science offers a rich, varied, and ever-evolving field of study. For those ready to embark on this intellectual voyage, the topics within this discipline promise not just academic excellence but a deeper understanding of the world and our place within it.

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Philosophy of Science

Philosophy of Science

This article is a part of the guide:

  • Religion vs Science
  • Occam’s Razor
  • Paradigm Shift

Browse Full Outline

  • 1 Philosophy of Science
  • 3.1 Realism and Antirealism
  • 3.2 Scientific Reductionism
  • 4.1 Paradigm Shift
  • 5 Occam’s Razor
  • 6.1 When Science Meets Religion
  • 7.1 Fringe Science
  • 7.2 Junk Science

It investigates the different branches of science and its underlying structure. Central questions are "What is science?" and "What is not science?", as well as "What characterizes science?" and "How to achieve scientific progress?".

philosophy of science research papers

The history of the philosophy of science has its roots in philosophy, and emerged as an autonomous discipline sometime in the nineteenth century.

philosophy of science research papers

Auguste Comte and John Stuart Mill can be seen as important people during its origins, even though philosophers like Copernicus, Bacon, Galileo and Kepler had developed thoughts regarding related issues.

Truth and Reality

Philosophy of science can be viewed as a way of describing how research is conducted, and a way of deciding how it should be carried out.

How do the real world, empirical data , models and theories relate to each other, and what can be done to improve their relationship?

The relationship between truth and theory is at the very heart of science, determining when, and if, a theory becomes accepted as reality. The realism and antirealism-debate is a philosophical debate, which explores the basis of commonly accepted scientific truth.

Scientific reductionism is a much debated idea in philosophy of science, where science reduces complex interactions and entities to the sum of their constituent parts.

A scientific paradigm is a framework containing all of the commonly accepted views about a subject.

The philosopher, Thomas Kuhn , suggested that scientific research does not progress towards truths, but is subject to dogma and a futile clinging to old theories.

Scientific revolution, a shift that completely changes the way in which science looks at the world, is often referred to as a paradigm shifts . One example of a paradigm shift is the discovery of the relativity theory, which revolutionized the way that humans understand physics.

Constructing Theories

Occam's razor is commonly described as 'the simplest answer is most often correct'. It is the process of paring down information to make finding the truth easier. Using Occam's razor helps the researcher to investigate the simplest theory first.

It is natural to gather data that supports the theory when conducting research. Sometimes researchers are so busy verifying their theory that they forget to look at observations that contradict the theory. This is often referred to as verification error . It can happen when a scientist feels too attached to a theory, often because they "invented" it.

It is often seen as better to try to falsify the theory. The scientist tries to develop the theory with bold predictions, which are testable . Scientists are more likely to try to falsify their theory and tend to adapt the theory to reality, instead of "adapting the reality to their theories". When doing the latter, you often end up with theories which are formulated in such a way that they confirm "everything".

Researchers often use a research hypothesis to make their science testable. An ad hoc analysis however, is an extra type of hypothesis added to the results of an experiment to try to explain away contrary evidence.

When researching, it can be useful to remember that the accuracy of a theory does not depend on the researchers' beliefs - it is not more or less true, no matter how much you believe it.

What is Science?

Philosophy of science tries to distinguish science from religion and pseudoscience. The methods above (such as Occam's Razor, falsifiability and testability) are all attempts to separate the science from "non-science".

The religion vs science debate has in recent years started to dominate the news more than ever before. The schism between science and religion began in the 17th century. It was a necessary stage in the advancement of human knowledge.

Fringe science is a branch of science that departs from the established scientific theories. Unlike pseudoscience , it still uses the scientific method, but is highly speculative, at least for the common beliefs of the time. Junk science is the anti-thesis of fringe science, often practiced when politics and businesses influence research too much.

Misconceptions in science are a common belief, where a semi-truth or falsehood is perpetuated as scientific fact.

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    Using Web of Science records for all papers written in English and published in the main philosophy of science journals between 2000 and 2020, we first built a bibliographic coupling network based on the cosine similarity between tfidf scores for every pair of research paper matching our search criteria. This network contained \(N=9217\) nodes corresponding to research papers and over one ...

  13. Philosophy of Research: An Introduction

    Patents, copyrights, and white papers are also possible outcomes of the research; A research report may include the following sections: Abstract; ... Novikov DA (2013) Research methodology: from philosophy of science to research design. CRC Press Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL. Book Google Scholar Pring R (2000) Philosophy of ...

  14. Popper, Karl: Philosophy of Science

    Karl Popper: Philosophy of Science. Karl Popper (1902-1994) was one of the most influential philosophers of science of the 20th century. He made significant contributions to debates concerning general scientific methodology and theory choice, the demarcation of science from non-science, the nature of probability and quantum mechanics, and the ...

  15. (PDF) Research philosophies and why they matter

    Natasha S. Mauthner. Research philosophies provide theories about the nature of the reality that. is being investigated in research (ontology) and about ho w knowledge of. this reality is produced ...

  16. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science

    Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics and Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences have merged with this journal as of January 2021. Find out more here.. Studies in History and Philosophy of Science is devoted to the integrated study of the history, philos…. View full aims & scope $2740

  17. Home

    Founded in 1933, the Philosophy of Science Association promotes research, teaching, and free discussion of issues in the philosophy of science from diverse standpoints. To this end, the PSA engages in activities such as: the publishing of periodicals, essays and monographs; sponsoring conventions and meetings; and awarding prizes for distinguished work in the field.

  18. Philosophy of Science Research Paper Topics

    The realm of the philosophy of science is vast, intricate, and immensely rewarding. Partnering with iResearchNet ensures not just a high-quality research paper but an enriching academic experience. For students poised on the edge of academic brilliance, iResearchNet promises an unmatched advantage, illuminating their path to excellence.

  19. (PDF) Philosophy of science

    Philosophy of science. Jan Helm. Technical University Berlin. Email: [email protected]. Abstract. This is a concise presentation of important aspects of modern philosophy of science and ...

  20. PDF An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science

    An Introduction to the Philosophy of Science This book guides readers by gradual steps through the central concepts and debates in the philosophy of science. Using concrete examples from the history of science, Kent W. Staley shows how seemingly abstract philosophical issues are relevant to important aspects of scientific practice.

  21. PDF INTRODUCTION TO THE PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

    10 STARTING OUT SOME METAPHYSICAL PREMISES OF SCIENCE v Ontological realism - the belief that reality and its components exist independently of any consciousness. (Ontology is the branch of philosophy that attempts to answer questions regarding the existence/non-existence of things and their nature). v Epistemological realism - the belief in the 'knowability' of things, which ...

  22. (PDF) Philosophy and Ethics of Research in Science

    Philosophy and Ethics of Research in Science. December 2021. In book: Academic Integrity & Research Quality (pp.8-17) Chapter: 2. Publisher: University Grants Commission, New Delhi. Authors ...

  23. Philosophy of Science Research Papers

    Science and Religion - A Response to the New Atheism. This paper provides a reasoned response to a column printed in USA Today. It clarifies the nature and true purposes of both good science and good religious faith. Download. by Stephen Farra. 5. Psychology , Philosophy of Science , Science and Religion , Christian Philosophy.

  24. Teach philosophy of science

    Teach philosophy of science. Much is being made about the erosion of public trust in science. Surveys show a modest decline in the United States from a very high level of trust, but that is seen for other institutions as well. What is apparent from the surveys is that a better explanation of the nature of science—that it is revised as new ...

  25. Philosophy of Science

    A scientific paradigm is a framework containing all of the commonly accepted views about a subject. The philosopher, Thomas Kuhn, suggested that scientific research does not progress towards truths, but is subject to dogma and a futile clinging to old theories. Scientific revolution, a shift that completely changes the way in which science ...