Pierre Duhem Quotes
Pierre Duhem was a French theoretical physicist, philosopher of science, and historian of medieval science. His work in thermodynamics and chemistry was respected during his lifetime, but his most enduring influence has been philosophical and historical. The quotes below are attributed to Pierre Duhem, organized by topic.
Pierre Duhem on Knowledge
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Attributed to Pierre Duhem:
“An experiment in physics can never condemn an isolated hypothesis but only a whole theoretical group.”
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Attributed to Pierre Duhem:
“A physical theory is a system of mathematical propositions whose aim is to represent and classify a group of experimental laws.”
Pierre Duhem on Time
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Attributed to Pierre Duhem:
“The history of physics shows that no theory survives unchanged.”
Pierre Duhem on Truth
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Attributed to Pierre Duhem:
“Truth in science is gradual and never final.”