Science and Hypothesis

Author: Henri Poincaré (France)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: Poincaré believed that scientific theories are not reflections of reality but rather hypotheses. The same set of phenomena can be explained equally effectively by different theories. The choice of one theory over another is entirely a matter of convention or agreement, not based on whether it is true. The criteria for selection are primarily convenience and simplicity. This viewpoint is also known as conventionalism. This book is one of the four classic works on the philosophy of science by Henri Poincaré, the great French mathematician, mathematical physicist, theoretical astronomer, and philosopher of science. In the book, the author extensively and deeply explores the cutting-edge issues of science and philosophy, presenting a series of incisive and enlightening perspectives, with his original conventionalism theory being prominently reflected. The book explores the theoretical frontiers of science and philosophy, divided into four parts: Numbers and Quantity, Space, Force, and Nature.