PhilSci Archive

Outline of a dynamical inferential conception of the application of mathematics

Räz, Tim and Sauer, Tilman (2015) Outline of a dynamical inferential conception of the application of mathematics. Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics, 49. pp. 57-72.

This is the latest version of this item.

[img] PDF
dynamic_ic.pdf - Updated Version

Download (506kB)

Abstract

We outline a framework for analyzing episodes from the history of science in which the application of mathematics plays a constitutive role in the conceptual development of empirical sciences. Our starting point is the inferential conception of the application of mathematics, recently advanced by Bueno and Colyvan (2011). We identify and discuss some systematic problems of this approach. We propose refinements of the inferential conception based on theoretical considerations and on the basis of a historical case study. We demonstrate the usefulness of the refined, dynamical inferential conception using the well-researched example of the genesis of general relativity. Specifically, we look at the collaboration of the physicist Einstein and the mathematician Grossmann in the years 1912–1913, which resulted in the jointly published “Outline of a Generalized Theory of Relativity and a Theory of Gravitation,” a precursor theory of the final theory of general relativity. In this episode, independently developed mathematical theories, the theory of differential invariants and the absolute differential calculus, were applied in the process of finding a relativistic theory of gravitation. The dynamical inferential conception not only provides a natural framework to describe and analyze this episode, but it also generates new questions and insights. We comment on the mathematical tradition on which Grossmann drew, and on his own contributions to mathematical theorizing. The dynamical inferential conception allows us to identify both the role of heuristics and of mathematical resources as well as the systematic role of problems and mistakes in the reconstruction of episodes of conceptual innovation and theory change.


Export/Citation: EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL
Social Networking:
Share |

Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Räz, Timtim.raez@gmail.com
Sauer, Tilmantilman@itp.unibe.ch
Keywords: Applicability of Mathematics, Genesis of general relativity, Absolute differential calculus, Inferential conception, Einstein, Grossmann
Subjects: General Issues > History of Science Case Studies
Specific Sciences > Mathematics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
General Issues > Theory Change
Depositing User: Tim Räz
Date Deposited: 06 Mar 2015 15:20
Last Modified: 06 Mar 2015 15:20
Item ID: 11357
Journal or Publication Title: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics
Publisher: Elsevier
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.shpsb.2015.01.004
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1016/j.shpsb.2015.01.004
Subjects: General Issues > History of Science Case Studies
Specific Sciences > Mathematics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
General Issues > Theory Change
Date: 15 January 2015
Page Range: pp. 57-72
Volume: 49
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/11357

Available Versions of this Item

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Altmetric.com

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item