The Laboratory of the Mind
Thought Experiments in the Natural Sciences
Published on 26. September 2005
192 pages
978-1-134-86580-2 (ISBN)
Description
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 serious study of them. This volume is the first book-length investigation of thought experiments.
Starting with Galileo's argument on falling bodies, Brown describes numerous examples of the most influential thought experiments from the history of science. Following this introduction to the subject, some substantial and provocative claims are made, the principle being that some thought experiments should be understood in the same way that platonists understand mathematical activity: as an intellectual grasp of an independently existing abstract realm.
With its clarity of style and structure, The Laboratory of the Mind will find readers among all philosophers of science as well as scientists who have puzzled over how thought experiments work.
Starting with Galileo's argument on falling bodies, Brown describes numerous examples of the most influential thought experiments from the history of science. Following this introduction to the subject, some substantial and provocative claims are made, the principle being that some thought experiments should be understood in the same way that platonists understand mathematical activity: as an intellectual grasp of an independently existing abstract realm.
With its clarity of style and structure, The Laboratory of the Mind will find readers among all philosophers of science as well as scientists who have puzzled over how thought experiments work.
Reviews / Votes
`I recommend this book to anybody interested in the philosophy of science. ... a fascinating compendium.' - David Papineau, THESMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
File size
1,36 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-134-86580-2 (9781134865802)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
04/1993
1st Edition
Routledge
€62.60
Shipment within 15-20 days
Content
Preface 1 ILLUSTRATIONS FROM THE LABORATORY OF THE MIND 2 THE STRUCTURE OF THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS 3 MATHEMATICAL THINKING 4 SEEING THE LAWS OF NATURE 5 EINSTEIN'S BRAND OF VERIFICATIONISM 6 QUANTUM MECHANICS: A PLATONIC INTERPRETATION
