Pierre Duhem Books

June 10, 1861 – September 14, 1916

Pierre Duhem was a French physicist, mathematician, historian, and philosopher of science, known for his work in chemical thermodynamics, the philosophy of science, and the history of medieval European science. He also made contributions to hydrodynamics and the theory of elasticity. Duhem's philosophy of science, detailed in 'The Aim and Structure of Physical Theory,' questioned the direct derivation of scientific theories from observations, particularly regarding Newton's law of gravitation. He emphasized that experimental evidence cannot uniquely determine the validity of a single theory, leading to the underdetermination or Duhem–Quine thesis.

Medieval Cosmology
Theories of Infinity, Place, Time, Void, and the Plurality of Worlds
642 pages
23 hours of reading
These selections from Le système du monde , the classic ten-volume history of the physical sciences written by the great French physicist Pierre Duhem (1861-1916), focus on cosmology, Duhem's greatest interest. By reconsidering the work of such Arab and Christian scholars as Averroes, Avicenna, Gregory of Rimini, Albert of Saxony, Nicole Oresme, Duns Scotus, and William of Occam, Duhem demonstrated the sophistication of medieval science and cosmology.

Medieval Cosmology