Kurt GerichDie Geschichte der Naturwissenschaften im Wandel erkenntnistheoretischer Positionen

About this book deutschenglish

The Western history of natural sciences begins with the pre-Socratic philosophy, continues through the classical ancient times, the middle ages up to modern times. The era of early modern times is characterized by the beginning of the classical scientific revolution and the paradigmatic transformation from the Ptolemaic to the Copernican age. The modern scientific development with the discoveries of the relativity- and quantum theory in the 20th century is also subject of a fundamental epistemological revision in the traditional conceptions of the evaluation of theories and absolute truth: Ultimate knowledge in natural sciences is an illusion.

There are no clear truth criteria.
Hypotheses and theories are not absolutely provable.

The book offers an introduction into the biographies of the most significant scientists, a representation of their discoveries, and an evaluation of their philosophical and epistemological beliefs.