Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Mathematics: Mathematics is the study of patterns and relationships. It encompasses arithmetic, algebra, calculus, geometry, trigonometry, topology, and others. Mathematics is used in science, engineering, business, and finance. See also Physics, Logic._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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Henri Bergson on Mathematics - Dictionary of Arguments
Sokal I 206 Mathematics/Bergson/Bricmont/Sokal: SokalVsBergson: we are under the impression that there is a historical connection with a philosophical tradition that puts intuition or subjective knowledge above the mind. >Subjectivity. One of the most brilliant representatives of this way of thinking is undoubtedly Bergson, who advanced this approach to such a degree that he even discussed the theory of relativity with Einstein. Sokal I 207 Theory of Relativity/Bergson/BergsonVsEinstein/SokalVsBergson: Bergson does not really try to identify innovation in the theory of relativity and to possibly derive philosophical conclusions from it; rather, these are established at the beginning and the entire analysis aims to show that the physical theory confirms si(1) Sokal: Bergson has influenced many philosophers, from Jankélévitch and Merleau-Ponty to Deleuze. >Merleau-Ponty, >Deleuze. Sokal I 208 If one considers the effort with which outstanding physicists such as Jean Becquerel, André Metz and Albert Einstein himself tried to explain the theory of relativity to him, ... Bergson can consequently be found to be unaffected by empirical arguments. Sokal I 208 SokalVsBergson: his misconceptions are quite fundamental in nature, but at least he is not spreading false erudition. Principle of relativity/Galilei/Sokal: the principle of relativity was already known to Galileo in 1632. Sokal I 211 BergsonVsEinstein: Bergson insisted that "it is irrelevant whether a motion is steady or accelerated: both systems are equal to each other, (Bergson 1922/1968(1) p. 198). Bergson: ... now, if every (also accelerated) motion is relative ... he is free to define what he wants ..." SokalVsBergson: at this point, Bergson confuses two things: the description of a motion (kinematics) and the laws to which Sokal I 209 this movement is subject to (dynamics). >Motion, >Natural Laws, >Physics. It is probably correct, at least for Newtonian kinematics, that the transformation formulas between two reference systems are completely reciprocal, even if both systems are in accelerated motion relative to each other. However, this in no way implies that the laws of dynamics are the same with respect to the two systems. Bergson's train of thought (p. 197) is based on a fundamental confusion of a reference system (e.g. a train in accelerated motion) and the motion of objects (e.g. balls lying on the ground in the moving train) with respect to this reference system. For the correct use of the concepts of physics see >Sokal. and >Feynman. 1. H. Bergson, Durée et simultanéité. Propos de la théorie d'Einstein, Paris, 1922/1968._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Bergs I Henri Bergson Durée et Simultanéité. À propos de la théorie d’Einstein, Paris 1922 German Edition: Dauer und Gleichzeitigkeit: Über Einsteins Relativitätstheorie Hamburg 2014 Sokal I Alan Sokal Jean Bricmont Fashionabel Nonsense. Postmodern Intellectuals Abuse of Science, New York 1998 German Edition: Eleganter Unsinn. Wie die Denker der Postmoderne die Wissenschaften missbrauchen München 1999 Sokal II Alan Sokal Fashionable Nonsense: Postmodern Intellectuals’ Abuse of Science New York 1999 |
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> Counter arguments against Bergson
> Counter arguments in relation to Mathematics
Ed. Martin Schulz, access date 2024-04-19