The unknown as an engine for science [electronic resource] : an essay on the definite and the indefinite / Hans J. Pirner.
Pirner, Hans Jürgen, author.; translation of (work) Pirner, Hans Jürgen. Bestimmte und das Unbestimmte.; Brewer, William D., translator.
2015
Q173
Available Online

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Title The unknown as an engine for science [electronic resource] : an essay on the definite and the indefinite / Hans J. Pirner.
Author Pirner, Hans Jürgen, author.
Uniform Title Bestimmte und das Unbestimmte. English
ISBN 9783319185095 electronic book
3319185098 electronic book
9783319185088
DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18509-5
Published Cham : Springer, [2015]
Copyright ©2015
Language English
Description 1 online resource (xvii, 146 pages).
Item Number 10.1007/978-3-319-18509-5 doi
Call Number Q173
Dewey Decimal Classification 500
Summary This book explores the limits of our knowledge. The author shows how uncertainty and indefiniteness not only define the borders confining our understanding, but how they feed into the process of discovery and help to push back these borders. Starting with physics the author collects examples from economics, neurophysiology, history, ecology and philosophy. The first part shows how information helps to reduce indefiniteness. Understanding rests on our ability to find the right context, in which we localize a problem as a point in a network of connections. New elements must be combined with the old parts of the existing complex knowledge system, in order to profit maximally from the information. An attempt is made to quantify the value of information by its ability to reduce indefiniteness. The second part explains how to handle indefiniteness with methods from fuzzy logic, decision theory, hermeneutics and semiotics. It is not sufficient that the new element appears in an experiment, one also has to find a theoretical reason for its existence. Indefiniteness becomes an engine of science, which gives rise to new ideas..
Bibliography, etc. Note Includes bibliographical references.
Access Note Access limited to authorized users.
Added Author translation of (work) Pirner, Hans Jürgen. Bestimmte und das Unbestimmte.
Brewer, William D., translator.
Series Frontiers collection.
Available in Other Form Print version: 9783319185088
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Record Appears in Online Resources > Ebooks
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Introduction
Evidence for the Indefinite
Approaching the Definite
Establishing the Definite from the Indefinite.- The Unknown as an Engine of Science: Summary.

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