Science and method

Henri Poincaré, Francis Maitland9781602064485, 1602064482

Henri Poincare¿s Science and Method is an examination of the process scientists go through when determining which of the countless facts before them will be most useful in advancing scientific knowledge. In this highly readable text¿first published in 1908 and here presented in a 1914 translation¿Poincare investigates mathematics, logic, physics, mechanics, and astronomy and discusses how the methods of selection differ with each field. Topics discussed include: ¿ the selection of facts ¿ the future of mathematics ¿ chance ¿ the relativity of space ¿ mathematics and logic ¿ mechanics and radium ¿ mechanics and optics ¿ the new mechanics and astronomy ¿ the Milky Way and the theory of gases ¿ and much more. French theoretical physicist, philosopher of science, and mathematician HENRI POINCARE (1854¿1912) also wrote New Methods of Celestial Mechanics (1892¿99) and Lessons of Celestial Mechanics. (1905¿10).

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Table of contents :
Title page……Page 1
CONTENTS……Page 3
Preface……Page 5
Introduction……Page 9
I. THE SCIENTIST AND SCIENCE……Page 13
I. The Selection of Facts……Page 15
II. The Future of Mathematics……Page 25
III. Mathematical Discovery……Page 46
IV. Chance……Page 64
II. MATHEMATICAL REASONING……Page 91
I. The Relativity of Space……Page 93
II. Mathematical Definitions and Education……Page 117
III. Mathematics and Logic……Page 143
IV. The New Logics……Page 160
V. The Last Efforts of the Logisticians……Page 177
III. THE NEW MECHANICS……Page 197
I. Mechanics and Radium……Page 199
II. Mechanics and Optics……Page 213
III. The New Mechanics and Astronomy……Page 235
IV. ASTRONOMICAL SCIENCE……Page 251
I. The Milky Way and the Theory of Gases……Page 253
II. French Geodesy……Page 270
General Conclusions……Page 284