Mathematics as a Tool: Tracing New Roles of Mathematics in the Sciences (Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science, 327, Band 327) - Hardcover

Buch 199 von 214: Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science
 
9783319544687: Mathematics as a Tool: Tracing New Roles of Mathematics in the Sciences (Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science, 327, Band 327)

Inhaltsangabe

This book puts forward a new role for mathematics in the natural sciences. In the traditional understanding, a strong viewpoint is advocated, on the one hand, according to which mathematics is used for truthfully expressing laws of nature and thus for rendering the rational structure of the world. In a weaker understanding, many deny that these fundamental laws are of an essentially mathematical character, and suggest that mathematics is merely a convenient tool for systematizing observational knowledge. 

The position developed in this volume combines features of both the strong and the weak viewpoint. In accordance with the former, mathematics is assigned an active and even shaping role in the sciences, but at the same time, employing mathematics as a tool is taken to be independent from the possible mathematical structure of the objects under consideration. Hence the tool perspective is contextual rather than ontological. Furthermore, tool-use has to respect conditions like suitability, efficacy, optimality, and others. There is a spectrum of means that will normally differ in how well they serve particular purposes. The tool perspective underlines the inevitably provisional validity of mathematics: any tool can be adjusted, improved, or lose its adequacy upon changing practical conditions.

Die Inhaltsangabe kann sich auf eine andere Ausgabe dieses Titels beziehen.

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Johannes Lenhard does research in philosophy of science with a particular focus on the history and philosophy of mathematics and statistics. During the last years his research concentrated on various aspects of computer and simulation modeling, culminating in his monograph “Calculated Surprises” (in German). Currently, he is senior researcher at the philosophy department of Bielefeld University, Germany. He has held a visiting associate professorship in history at the University of South Carolina, Columbia, long after he had received his doctoral degree in mathematics from the University of Frankfurt, Germany.

Martin Carrier is a professor at the Department of Philosophy, Bielefeld University. He has worked on five different fields in the philosophy of science. History of Early Modern Physical Theory, Theory Change: Problems of Methodological Comparison and Confirmation Theory, Conceptual Relations among Theoretical Systems: cognition, neuronal states, behavior, incommensurability, theory-laden tests, Space-Time Philosophy and Methodological Problems of Applied Research.

Von der hinteren Coverseite

This book puts forward a new role for mathematics in the natural sciences. In the traditional understanding, a strong viewpoint is advocated, on the one hand, according to which mathematics is used for truthfully expressing laws of nature and thus for rendering the rational structure of the world. In a weaker understanding, many deny that these fundamental laws are of an essentially mathematical character, and suggest that mathematics is merely a convenient tool for systematizing observational knowledge. 

The position developed in this volume combines features of both the strong and the weak viewpoint. In accordance with the former, mathematics is assigned an active and even shaping role in the sciences, but at the same time, employing mathematics as a tool is taken to be independent from the possible mathematical structure of the objects under consideration. Hence the tool perspective is contextual rather than ontological. Furthermore, tool-use has to respect conditions like suitability, efficacy, optimality, and others. There is a spectrum of means that will normally differ in how well they serve particular purposes. The tool perspective underlines the inevitably provisional validity of mathematics: any tool can be adjusted, improved, or lose its adequacy upon changing practical conditions.

„Über diesen Titel“ kann sich auf eine andere Ausgabe dieses Titels beziehen.

Weitere beliebte Ausgaben desselben Titels

9783319854007: Mathematics as a Tool: Tracing New Roles of Mathematics in the Sciences (Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science, 327, Band 327)

Vorgestellte Ausgabe

ISBN 10:  3319854003 ISBN 13:  9783319854007
Verlag: Springer, 2018
Softcover