Particles and Waves: Historical Essays in the Philosophy of ScienceOxford University Press, 18 apr 1991 - 346 pagina's This volume brings together eleven essays by the distinguished philosopher of science, Peter Achinstein. The unifying theme is the nature of the philosophical problems surrounding the postulation of unobservable entities such as light waves, molecules, and electrons. How, if at all, is it possible to confirm scientific hypotheses about "unobservables"? Achinstein examines this question as it arose in actual scientific practice in three nineteenth-century episodes: the debate between particle and wave theorists of light, Maxwell's kinetic theory of gases, and J.J. Thomson's discovery of the electron. The book contains three parts, each devoted to one of these topics, beginning with an essay presenting the historical background of the episode and an introduction to the philosophical issues. There is an illuminating evaluation of various scientific methodologies, including hypothetico-deductivism, inductivism, and the method of independent warrant which combines features of the first two. Achinstein assesses the philosophical validity of both nineteenth-century and modern answers to questions about unobservables, and presents and defends his own solutions. |
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Particles and Waves: Historical Essays in the Philosophy of Science Peter Achinstein Gedeeltelijke weergave - 1991 |
Particles and Waves: Historical Essays in the Philosophy of Science Peter Achinstein Fragmentweergave - 1991 |
Veelvoorkomende woorden en zinsdelen
argue argument assume atoms auxiliary assumptions auxiliary hypothesis Avogadro's law background information bodies Boyle's law Brougham cathode ray tube cathode rays causes Clausius coherence competitors conclusion consilience construed correctly explain derivation from h diffraction distribution law dynamical electrical empirical entails Essay evidence example experimental result claims experiments explanatory follows forces Fresnel game in town gases given h's probability h₁ heat Hertz high probability hypothesis h hypothetico-deductivism idea independent warrant inductive inference introduces J. J. Thomson James Clerk Maxwell kinetic theory light consists mathematical Maxwell Maxwell's method of hypothesis methodology molecules motion Newton Newtonian O₁ observed phenomena only-game optical phenomena P₁ particle theory phenomenon physical analogy potheses Principia prior probability probability of h properties proposition reason reflection refraction require retroduction satisfied schema scientist strategy suppose system of particles testable theoretical consequence theoretical support theorists Thomson tion true tube type-k unobservable viscosity wave theory Whewell
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