Although... Scientific Representation began life as a series of lectures, it is far more than that. Indeed, I regard it as the true successor to The Scientific Image, an even more mature exposition of an empiricist philosophy of science for a philosophical audience much broader than technical philosophers of science. It is a book rich in historical and contemporary insights which makes even greater breaks with the past than its influential predecessor. And the ever elegant style makes it a joy to read.
Ronald N. Giere, Philosophy of Science
Since Representation is contemporary, varied, exciting, provocative, profound, and (sometimes) sketchy... and since Representation is very accessible... it is an ideal book for stirring up discussion in a reading group as well as for introducing students to a host of topics in the philosophy of science that are currently discussed in journals and on conferences.
Fred Muller, Studies in the History and Philosophy of Modern Psychics
a typically erudite survey of many kinds of representation both outside science and within, ranging from portraits and perspective to maps and measurement... an ingenious thinker
David Papineau, Times Literary Supplement
Densely argued, erudite and rich in examples from both art and science... Scientific Representation is both provocative and subtle, and will appeal to a more general readership as well as the science studies aficionado. It takes us beyond the issue of representation in science to offer one of the most well thought-out representations of science currently available.
Steven French, Times Higher Education
develops a sophisticated, intriguing, subtle line of argument... This is a book with an important and intricate story to tell, and it does it with so much attention to historical, philosophical, scientific, and even artistic details that makes it an occasion for a thousand wider meditations.
Michela Massimi, International Studies in the Philosophy of Science
empiricist structuralism seems to be even more sophisticated than constructive empiricism... [it] is likely to prove an even more formiddable opponent for scientific realists of all stripes and to be at the centre of the debate for a long time to come.
Gabriele Contessa, Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews
One again, van Fraassen has given us an incredibly rich, learned and profound book that will be studied and argued about for decades to come.
James Ladyman, Metascience
Scientific Representation is an impressive, rich and sophisticated work.
Otévio Bueno, Metascience