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The methodology of Pierre Duhem
408
BOOK
[J.
REVIEWS.
F. I.
diynes, alkapolyynes, cyclanes, cyclanes with saturated and unsaturated side-chains, spiranes, bicyclanes, bicyclanes with saturated and unsaturated side-chains, tricyclanes, pentacyclanes, cyclenes, cyclenes with saturated and unsaturated side-chains, cyclodienes with saturated and unsaturated side-chains, bicyclenes, bicyclodienes, tticyclenes, tetracyclenes, pentacyclenes, alkyl benzenes, alkenyl benzenes, allenic and non-allenic alkadienyl benzenes, alkapolyenyl benzenes, alkynyl benzenes, indanes, indenes, fluorenes, naphthalenes, anthracenes, phenanthrenes, naphthacenes, aromatic-cyclane hydrocarbons, aromatic-cyclene hydrocarbons, and aromatic-cyclodiene hydrocarbons. The available experiThese mental data have been calculated to a uniform basis wherever possible. are of value for the purpose of comparing catalyst ture, pressure, and yield of products for more than tion shown in thirty-six tables.
concentration, time, temperaexperiments on isomeriza-
1700
Appendixes contain- an extended translation of Moldavsky and Livschitz’s fundamental work on iso-alkane determination, a translation of 0. W. Bauer’s Thesis, which also covers some fundamental work on iso-alkane determination but is interesting from the standpoint of quantitative estimation by means of The third appendix contains physical methods based on “additive functions.” new material up to February I, 1942, which is useful in a practical way in the construction and operation of plants producing isobutane from n-butane for the synthesis of 2,2,4 trimethylpentane or which can isomerize “ordinary gasoline” into aviation gasoline or its components. As with other American Chemical Society Monographs, this one contains an extended bibliography and complete subject and author indexes. It is an invaluable work designed to be a direct contribution to progress in this field of endeavor. R. H. OPPERMANN. THE
METHODOLOGY OF PIERRE DUHEM, by Armand Lowinger. 16 x 23 ems. New York, Columbia University Press, 1941.
184 pages, Price $2.25.
Those who are interested in the scientific method, its source, process, and results will find in this book a study of the remarkable ideas of Pierre Duhem, a man who has done important work in physics and the history of science. His The detailed ideas have influenced much logical thought in the United States. account herein begins with an orienting and non-technical introduction to the philosophy of science. Duhem’s ideas on the nature of physical theory are exposed and on this are built his conceptions of the detailed processes which are First, the elements are selected involved in the building up of physical theory. and represented by algebraic or Geometric symbols, then the formulation of The aim hypotheses accomplished by the process of mathematical deduction. of physical theory, according to Duhem’s conception, is stated as the representation and classification of experimental laws. Accordingly, there is given an exposition of his conception of the nature of experiment in physics and the From these are developed the principles governing the theories of physical laws. Here it is shown that it is impossible confrontation of experiment with theory. to construct a system of theory by the inductive method alone and that logic does not require that hypotheses should undergo, one by one, an experimental test, since isolated hypotheses cannot be tested, but only as a part of an extensive
Oct..
1942.1
PUBLICATIONS
409
RECEIVED.
Lastly, there The selection of hypotheses is then discussed. system of theory, are given critical remarks on Duhem’s methodological ideas which have been outlined. It is interesting and thought This is the first study in English of Duhem. provoking. R. H. OPPERMANN.
PUBLICATIONS
RECEIVED.
MATHEMATICS OF MODERN ENGINEERING, by Ernest
G. Keller.
(Mathematical Engineering), 309 pages, illustrations, 16 X 24 ems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and London, Chapman & Hall, Limited,
Volume II, New York, Price 1942.
$4.00. BELL TELEPHONE SYSTEM, Monographs: B-1342, Greensalt-A New Preservative for Wood, by W. McMahon, C. M. Hill and F. C. Koch; and “Green28 pages, illussalt Treatment of Poles,” by G. Q. Lumsden and A. H. Hearn. 15 pages, trations. B-1344, A Secondary Frequency Standard, by F. R. Stansel. B-1345, Inspection in a Manufacturing Plant, by D. B. Keeling illustrations. 14 pages, illustrations. B-1346, The Future of Transoceanic and L. E. Cisne. Telephony, by Oliver E. Buckley. 19 pages. B-1347, Entropy, by Karl K. 24 pages, illustrations. B-1348, Diamond Dies for the High-Speed Darrow. Drawing of Copper Wire, by H. N. Padowicz. 17 pages, illustrations. Six pamphlets, 15 X 23 ems. New York, Bell Laboratories, 1942. ENGINEERING MECHANICS, by Frank illustrations, 16 X 24 ems. New York, $4.00. INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY, by Emil 861 pages, illustrations, 16 X 24 ems. Price $5.50. tion, 1942.
L. Brown. John Wiley
Raymond Riegel, Ph.D. Fourth edition, New York, Reinhold Publishing Corpora-
MICROWAVE TRANSMISSION, by J. C. Slater. trations, 16 X 24 ems. New York, McGraw-Hill $3.50.
Second edition, 503 pages, & Sons, Inc., 1942. Price
First edition, 309 pages, Book Company, 1942.
illusPrice
BOOK
[J.
REVIEWS.
F. I.
diynes, alkapolyynes, cyclanes, cyclanes with saturated and unsaturated side-chains, spiranes, bicyclanes, bicyclanes with saturated and unsaturated side-chains, tricyclanes, pentacyclanes, cyclenes, cyclenes with saturated and unsaturated side-chains, cyclodienes with saturated and unsaturated side-chains, bicyclenes, bicyclodienes, tticyclenes, tetracyclenes, pentacyclenes, alkyl benzenes, alkenyl benzenes, allenic and non-allenic alkadienyl benzenes, alkapolyenyl benzenes, alkynyl benzenes, indanes, indenes, fluorenes, naphthalenes, anthracenes, phenanthrenes, naphthacenes, aromatic-cyclane hydrocarbons, aromatic-cyclene hydrocarbons, and aromatic-cyclodiene hydrocarbons. The available experiThese mental data have been calculated to a uniform basis wherever possible. are of value for the purpose of comparing catalyst ture, pressure, and yield of products for more than tion shown in thirty-six tables.
concentration, time, temperaexperiments on isomeriza-
1700
Appendixes contain- an extended translation of Moldavsky and Livschitz’s fundamental work on iso-alkane determination, a translation of 0. W. Bauer’s Thesis, which also covers some fundamental work on iso-alkane determination but is interesting from the standpoint of quantitative estimation by means of The third appendix contains physical methods based on “additive functions.” new material up to February I, 1942, which is useful in a practical way in the construction and operation of plants producing isobutane from n-butane for the synthesis of 2,2,4 trimethylpentane or which can isomerize “ordinary gasoline” into aviation gasoline or its components. As with other American Chemical Society Monographs, this one contains an extended bibliography and complete subject and author indexes. It is an invaluable work designed to be a direct contribution to progress in this field of endeavor. R. H. OPPERMANN. THE
METHODOLOGY OF PIERRE DUHEM, by Armand Lowinger. 16 x 23 ems. New York, Columbia University Press, 1941.
184 pages, Price $2.25.
Those who are interested in the scientific method, its source, process, and results will find in this book a study of the remarkable ideas of Pierre Duhem, a man who has done important work in physics and the history of science. His The detailed ideas have influenced much logical thought in the United States. account herein begins with an orienting and non-technical introduction to the philosophy of science. Duhem’s ideas on the nature of physical theory are exposed and on this are built his conceptions of the detailed processes which are First, the elements are selected involved in the building up of physical theory. and represented by algebraic or Geometric symbols, then the formulation of The aim hypotheses accomplished by the process of mathematical deduction. of physical theory, according to Duhem’s conception, is stated as the representation and classification of experimental laws. Accordingly, there is given an exposition of his conception of the nature of experiment in physics and the From these are developed the principles governing the theories of physical laws. Here it is shown that it is impossible confrontation of experiment with theory. to construct a system of theory by the inductive method alone and that logic does not require that hypotheses should undergo, one by one, an experimental test, since isolated hypotheses cannot be tested, but only as a part of an extensive
Oct..
1942.1
PUBLICATIONS
409
RECEIVED.
Lastly, there The selection of hypotheses is then discussed. system of theory, are given critical remarks on Duhem’s methodological ideas which have been outlined. It is interesting and thought This is the first study in English of Duhem. provoking. R. H. OPPERMANN.
PUBLICATIONS
RECEIVED.
MATHEMATICS OF MODERN ENGINEERING, by Ernest
G. Keller.
(Mathematical Engineering), 309 pages, illustrations, 16 X 24 ems. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and London, Chapman & Hall, Limited,
Volume II, New York, Price 1942.
$4.00. BELL TELEPHONE SYSTEM, Monographs: B-1342, Greensalt-A New Preservative for Wood, by W. McMahon, C. M. Hill and F. C. Koch; and “Green28 pages, illussalt Treatment of Poles,” by G. Q. Lumsden and A. H. Hearn. 15 pages, trations. B-1344, A Secondary Frequency Standard, by F. R. Stansel. B-1345, Inspection in a Manufacturing Plant, by D. B. Keeling illustrations. 14 pages, illustrations. B-1346, The Future of Transoceanic and L. E. Cisne. Telephony, by Oliver E. Buckley. 19 pages. B-1347, Entropy, by Karl K. 24 pages, illustrations. B-1348, Diamond Dies for the High-Speed Darrow. Drawing of Copper Wire, by H. N. Padowicz. 17 pages, illustrations. Six pamphlets, 15 X 23 ems. New York, Bell Laboratories, 1942. ENGINEERING MECHANICS, by Frank illustrations, 16 X 24 ems. New York, $4.00. INDUSTRIAL CHEMISTRY, by Emil 861 pages, illustrations, 16 X 24 ems. Price $5.50. tion, 1942.
L. Brown. John Wiley
Raymond Riegel, Ph.D. Fourth edition, New York, Reinhold Publishing Corpora-
MICROWAVE TRANSMISSION, by J. C. Slater. trations, 16 X 24 ems. New York, McGraw-Hill $3.50.
Second edition, 503 pages, & Sons, Inc., 1942. Price
First edition, 309 pages, Book Company, 1942.
illusPrice