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The Aim and Structure of Physical Theory
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Pierre Maurice Marie Duhem
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With contributions by:
Jules Vuillemin
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Translated by:
Philip P. Wiener
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Preface by:
Louis de Broglie
Language:
English
Published/Copyright:
2021
About this book
This classic work in the philosophy of physical science is an incisive and readable account of the scientific method. Pierre Duhem was one of the great figures in French science, a devoted teacher, and a distinguished scholar of the history and philosophy of science. This book represents his most mature thought on a wide range of topics.
Author / Editor information
Pierre Duhem (1861-1916) is best known in science for his work in thermodynamics and in history of science for his treatment of the Middle Ages. He was Professor of Physics at the University of Bordeaux
Reviews
"The central proposition of this famous book is that physical theories are conventions serving to economize scientific thought rather than descriptions or explanations of the way the world is made. The work remains intensely alive in a climate of opinion in which strong skepticism about scientific realism is motivated by social and political considerations that could scarcely be more at variance with Duhem's ultra-Catholic conservatism. The introduction by Jules Vuillemin, at once expository and critical, is the clearest commentary on Duhem's philosophy of science that I have had the pleasure of reading. Duhem's phenomenalism, Vuillemin points out, distinguishes between humanity and nature and opposes the naturalism that would make reason merely an aspect of the natural processes it studies."—Charles C. Gillispie, Da}ton-Stockton Professor of History of Science Emeritus, Princeton University,
Topics
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PART I The Aim of Physical Theory
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PART II The Structure of Physical Theory
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Appendix
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Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
August 10, 2021
eBook ISBN:
9780691233857
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
Main content:
344
eBook ISBN:
9780691233857
Keywords for this book
Theoretical physics; Hypothesis; Theory; Physicist; Physical law; Explanation; Philosophy of physics; Science and Hypothesis; Objectivity (science); Science; Physical chemistry; The Laws of Physics; Theory of Forms; Atomic theory; Cosmological principle; Newton's law of universal gravitation; Classical electromagnetism; Atomism; Aristotelian physics; Law of mass action; Experimental physics; Elasticity (physics); Theoretical definition; Philosophy of science; Quantum mechanics; Laws of thermodynamics; Axiom; Experimentum crucis; Theory of relativity; Materialism; The Philosopher; De Magnete; Scientific notation; Phenomenon; Scientific demonstration; Theory of heat; Dynamism (metaphysics); Celestial mechanics; Gravitational constant; Summa Theologica; EPR paradox; Atomic physics; Plasma (physics); Phenomenalism; Physiognomy; Physics First; Mathematical physics; Positivism; Universality (philosophy); Poisson's equation; Analytical mechanics; Physics of the Future; Philosophical analysis; Equations of motion; Electrostatics; Calculation; Magnetization; Scholasticism; Sign (mathematics); Utilitarianism; Mysterium Cosmographicum; Scientific law; Philosophy; Classical mechanics; Newton's laws of motion; Mechanics; Objectivity (philosophy); Thermodynamics; Scientific method; Contingency (philosophy)
Audience(s) for this book
College/higher education;Professional and scholarly;
