Book Search
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Thought Experiments in Science, Philosophy, and the Arts
Series: Routledge Studies in the Philosophy of Science
From Lucretius throwing a spear beyond the boundary of the universe to Einstein racing against a beam of light, thought experiments stand as a fascinating challenge to the necessity of data in the empirical sciences. Are these experiments, conducted uniquely in our imagination, simply rhetorical...
Published August 9th 2012 by Routledge
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Platonism, Naturalism, and Mathematical Knowledge
Series: Routledge Studies in the Philosophy of Science
This study addresses a central theme in current philosophy: Platonism vs Naturalism and provides accounts of both approaches to mathematics, crucially discussing Quine, Maddy, Kitcher, Lakoff, Colyvan, and many others. Beginning with accounts of both approaches, Brown defends Platonism by arguing...
Published December 12th 2011 by Routledge
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The Laboratory of the Mind
Thought Experiments in the Natural Sciences, 2nd Edition
Newton's bucket, Einstein's elevator, Schrödinger's cat – these are some of the best-known examples of thought experiments in the natural sciences. But what function do these experiments perform? Are they really experiments at all? Can they help us gain a greater understanding of the natural world?...
Published July 26th 2010 by Routledge
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Philosophy of Mathematics
A Contemporary Introduction to the World of Proofs and Pictures, 2nd Edition
Series: Routledge Contemporary Introductions to Philosophy
In his long-awaited new edition of Philosophy of Mathematics, James Robert Brown tackles important new as well as enduring questions in the mathematical sciences. Can pictures go beyond being merely suggestive and actually prove anything? Are mathematical results certain? Are experiments of any...
Published January 14th 2008 by Routledge
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Philosophy of Mathematics
An Introduction to a World of Proofs and Pictures
Series: Philosophical Issues in Science
Philosophy of Mathematics is an excellent introductory text. This student friendly book discusses the great philosophers and the importance of mathematics to their thought. It includes the following topics:* the mathematical image* platonism* picture-proofs* applied mathematics* Hilbert and Godel...
Published July 21st 1999 by Routledge
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Smoke and Mirrors
How Science Reflects Reality
Series: Philosophical Issues in Science
Realism is an enlightening story, a tale which enriches our experience and makes it more intelligible. Yet this wonderful picture of humanity's best efforts at knowledge has been badly bruised by numerous critics. James Robert Brown in Smoke and Mirrors fights back against figures such as Richard...
Published February 2nd 1994 by Routledge
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The Laboratory of the Mind
Thought Experiments in the Natural Sciences
Series: Philosophical Issues in Science
Thought experiments are performed in the laboratory of the mind. Beyond this metaphor it is difficult to say just what these remarkable devices for investigating nature are or how they work. Though most scientists and philosophers would admit their great importance, there has been very little...
Published April 28th 1993 by Routledge