Pierre Duhem Knihy

Focusing on the intersection of physical chemistry and philosophy, this work highlights Duhem's exploration of the historical and conceptual foundations of chemistry. He traces the ancient debate over mixtures, contrasting atomist and Aristotelian perspectives, while situating his own views within the Aristotelian framework. The text not only clarifies Duhem's contributions but also connects historical disputes to contemporary scientific issues. Written clearly and logically, it offers valuable insights into nineteenth-century thought and Duhem's philosophical stance without requiring advanced mathematical knowledge.

Focusing on the life and contributions of Josiah Willard Gibbs, this biography by Pierre Duhem delves into the physicist's pioneering work in thermodynamics and physical chemistry. It traces Gibbs' intellectual journey, highlighting his major publications and collaborations with contemporaries. In addition to his scientific achievements, Duhem provides insights into Gibbs' personal life, including his upbringing and relationships. This comprehensive portrayal emphasizes Gibbs' lasting impact on the scientific community and our understanding of the physical world.

This influential study, "Les origines de la statique," published in 1905-1906, revolutionized the understanding of Western intellectual history, particularly medieval science. Duhem's work opened new avenues of exploration, while contemporaneously, Bergson's "Evolution créatrice" challenged mechanistic evolution, highlighting the limitations of scientific knowledge about life processes.

Pierre Duhem (1861-1916) gehörte zu jenen Wissenschaftlern, die im ausgehenden 19. Jahrhundert an der Umbildung der Physik im großen Stil arbeiteten und damit an der Vorbereitung der wissenschaftlichen Revolution beteiligt waren, die durch Planck und Einstein herbeigeführt wurde. Duhems klassisches Werk der modernen Wissenschaftstheorie hat auf die Entwicklung des logischen Empirismus nachhaltigen Einfluß ausgeübt. Das von Duhem beigezogene reichhaltige Material und seine konzisen Fallstudien stellen eine Fundgrube für jeden dar, der sich ernsthaft mit Wissenschaftstheorie beschäftigt.