Science and Method (Key Texts)

"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)." CONTENTS......Page 4 Preface......Page 6 Introduction......Page 10 I. THE SCIENTIST AND SCIENCE......Page 14 I. The Selection of Facts......Page 16 II. The Future of Mathematics......Page 26 III. Mathematical Discovery......Page 47 IV. Chance......Page 65 II. MATHEMATICAL REASONING......Page 92 I. The Relativity of Space......Page 94 II. Mathematical Definitions and Education......Page 118 III. Mathematics and Logic......Page 144 IV. The New Logics......Page 161 V. The Last Efforts of the Logisticians......Page 178 III. THE NEW MECHANICS......Page 198 I. Mechanics and Radium......Page 200 II. Mechanics and Optics......Page 214 III. The New Mechanics and Astronomy......Page 236 IV. ASTRONOMICAL SCIENCE......Page 252 I. The Milky Way and the Theory of Gases......Page 254 II. French Geodesy......Page 271 General Conclusions......Page 285