Recent scholars have attempted to remake epistemology as a purely subjectivist enterprise. Elie Zahar argues convincingly that rational metaphysics is both relevant and crucial to scientific research and discovery, and presents case studies on the development of the atomic theory and Einstein’s philosophy of science to support his contention.
Focusing on Henri Poincare's groundbreaking contributions to mathematics and theoretical physics, Elie Zahar presents a cohesive framework of Poincare's ideas, which were previously fragmented. Despite Poincare's monumental achievements, he lacked a systematic philosophy; this work aims to unify his thoughts and highlight his significance in both mathematics and philosophy, showcasing the depth of his intellectual legacy.
Imre Lakatos's Proofs and Refutations is an enduring classic, which has never lost its relevance. Taking the form of a dialogue between a teacher and some students, the book considers various solutions to mathematical problems and, in the process, raises important questions about the nature of mathematical discovery and methodology. Lakatos shows that mathematics grows through a process of improvement by attempts at proofs and critiques of these attempts, and his work continues to inspire mathematicians and philosophers aspiring to develop a philosophy of mathematics that accounts for both the static and the dynamic complexity of mathematical practice. With a specially commissioned Preface written by Paolo Mancosu, this book has been revived for a new generation of readers.
Elie G. Zahar untersucht die fruchtbare Beziehung zwischen Mathematik und den Theorien der empirischen Wissenschaft. Seine kritische Auseinandersetzung mit Vertretern des Wiener Kreises sowie Henri Poincaré, Bertrand Russell und Edmund Husserl führt den Leser am Ende zur einzig konsistenten Position hinsichtlich der Ontologie der Mathematik: dem mathematischen Realismus. Elie G. Zahar ist emerierter Professor für Logik und wissenschaftliche Methode der London School of Economics und Autor von „Einstein`s Revolution: A Study in Heuristic“ (1989) und „Poincaré`s Philosophy: From Conventionalism to Phenomenology“ (2001).