Mathematics in science: The role of the history of science in communicating the significance of mathematical formalism in science

1992 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin C. de Berg
Keyword(s):  
History Of Science ◽  
Mathematical Formalism ◽  
History Of

The Discovery of X-Rays: a Probable Case of Second Order Observation

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 403
Author(s):  
Marco Aurélio Clemente Gonçalves ◽  
Mariele Regina Pinheiro Gonçalves ◽  
Pablo Eduardo Ortiz
Keyword(s):  
History Of Science ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Historical Reconstruction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Probable Case ◽  
The Status ◽  
History Of

The discovery of x-rays, one of the most beautiful experiments ever carried out, generates numerous controversies and these, in turn, can trigger a series of counterproductive information regarding not only the History of Science but also the teaching  activity. The aim of this article is to resolve these controversies concerning what ocurred and highlight the important role of the German physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, highlighting not only his genius but, especially in this case in particular, his condition of second-order observer. It is not uncommon to find information in various media refering to this discovery under the claim that it was the result of a fortuitous event, and this denotes a profound lack of knowledge about the facts or a disrespect for the renowned discoverer. Such allegations about the event depreciate the extraordinary discovery that impacts humanity, from the deed  to the present. Thus, through a brief historical reconstruction, it was tried to present here what had happened judiciously. With this respect, the brilliant scientist is given the status of a second-rate observer, from the philosophical point of view. This condition resonates with the diachronic aspect of the History of Science, according to the perspective presented here, and it is also supported by the time taken by the discoverer from the beginning of his research until the end of it. Keywords: X-Ray. Second-Order Observer. History of Science. ResumoO descobrimento dos raios-x, um dos mais belos experimentos já realizados, gera inúmeras controvérsias e essas, por sua vez, podem desencadear uma série de informações contraproducentes no tangente não só a História da Ciência como também à atividade de ensino. O presente artigo tem como objetivo dirimir tais polêmicas com respeito ao ocorrido e destacar o importante papel do físico alemão Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, destacando não só sua genialidade, mas sobretudo, neste caso em particular, a sua condição de observador de segunda ordem. Não é raro encontrar em diversos meios de comunicação informações com respeito a referida descoberta sob a alegação de que a mesma fora fruto de um caso fortuito e isso denota profundo desconhecimento sobre os fatos, ou então, desrespeito com o renomado descobridor. Tais alegações sobre o sucedido depreciam a descoberta extraordinária que impacta a humanidade, desde o feito até a atualidade. Assim, através de breve reconstrução histórica, buscou-se aqui apresentar o ocorrido criteriosamente. Com este respeito passa-se a atribuir ao brilhante cientista a condição de observador de segunda ordem, do ponto de vista filosófico. Tal condição encontra ressonância no aspecto diacrônico da História da Ciência, segundo a perspectiva aqui apresentada e está amparada, também, pelo tempo empreendido pelo descobridor desde o início de sua pesquisa até a finalização da mesma. Palavras-chave: Raios-x. Observador de Segunda Ordem. História da Ciência.

Instrumental images: the visual rhetoric of self-presentation in Hevelius's Machina Coelestis

2010 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
JANET VERTESI
Keyword(s):  
History Of Science ◽  
Visual Rhetoric ◽  
Self Presentation ◽  
Professional Network ◽  
History Of

AbstractThis article places the famous images of Johannes Hevelius's instruments in his Machina Coelestis (1673) in the context of Hevelius's contested cometary observations and his debate with Hooke over telescopic sights. Seen thus, the images promote a crafted vision of Hevelius's astronomical practice and skills, constituting a careful self-presentation to his distant professional network and a claim as to which instrumental techniques guarantee accurate observations. Reviewing the reception of the images, the article explores how visual rhetoric may be invoked and challenged in the context of controversy, and suggests renewed analytical attention to the role of laboratory imagery in instrumental cultures in the history of science.

scholarly journals The Roles of Mathematics in the History of Science: The Mathematization Thesis

2020 ◽  
pp. 6
Author(s):  
Ciro Tomazella Ferreira ◽  
Cibelle Celestino Silva
Keyword(s):  
History Of Science ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Scientific Revolution ◽  
Edmund Husserl ◽  
17Th Century ◽  
Scientific Development ◽  
Mathematical Approach ◽  
New Science ◽  
History Of

In this paper, we present an analysis of the evolution of the history of science as a discipline focusing on the role of the mathematization of nature as a historiographical perspective. Our study is centered in the mathematization thesis, which considers the rise of a mathematical approach of nature in the 17th century as being the most relevant event for scientific development. We begin discussing Edmund Husserl whose work, despite being mainly philosophical, is relevant for having affected the emergence of the narrative of the mathematization of nature and due to its influence on Alexandre Koyré. Next, we explore Koyré, Dijksterhuis, and Burtt’s works, the historians from the 20th century responsible for the elaboration of the main narratives about the Scientific Revolution that put the mathematization of science as the protagonist of the new science. Then, we examine the reframing of the mathematization thesis with the narrative of two traditions developed by Thomas S. Kuhn and Richard Westfall, in which the mathematization of nature shares space with other developments taken as equally relevant. We conclude presenting contemporary critical perspectives on the mathematization thesis and its capacity for synthesizing scientific development.

scholarly journals Frankenstein de Mary Shelley, o Filme: Um recurso para introdução da História da Ciência no Ensino de Ciências na visão de graduandos

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 96
Author(s):  
André Silva dos Reis ◽  
Maria Dulcimar de Brito Silva
Keyword(s):  
Science Teaching ◽  
History Of Science ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Mary Shelley ◽  
Visual Media ◽  
Visual Impression ◽  
Teaching Resource ◽  
History Of ◽  
Science In Society

ResumoEste estudo visa analisar o filme Frankenstein de Mary Shelley a partir da visão de graduandos, para que o mesmo venha a ser empregado como recurso midiático para uma abordagem introdutória da História da Ciência no ensino. Para tanto, oito monitores de Química do Centro de Ciências e Planetário, graduandos de licenciatura em Química, assistiram ao filme, em seguida, realizaram uma sinopse e, posteriormente, e responderam a um questionário. As respostas apontaram que o filme consegue transpor a ideia do que era ser um cientista e como a Ciência se desenvolvia. Pontuam também vários temas que podem ser levantados pelos professores relacionados ao papel da ciência na sociedade. Isso mostra como mídias visuais são recursos dinâmicos para uma abordagem introdutória, visto que, além de narrar os fatos, fica gravado na mente dos alunos a impressão visual de como a ciência foi desenvolvida ao longo dos séculos. Palavras-chave: História da Ciência; Ensino de Ciências; Recurso didático.AbstractThis study aims to analyze the film Frankenstein from undergraduate vision, so that it will be used as a media resource for an introductory approach to the History of Science in teaching. Therefore, eight trainees of Chemical Sciences and Planetary Center, undergraduate students in chemistry, watched the film, and then held a synopsis and then answered a questionnaire. The answers showed that the film manages to transpose the idea of what was to be a scientist and a science developed. Also punctuate several issues that can be raised by teachers related to the role of science in society. This shows how visual media are dynamic resources for an introductory approach view that in addition to narrating the facts is engraved in the minds of students the visual impression of how science has developed over the centuries.Keywords: History of Science; Science Teaching; Teaching resource.

scholarly journals Integrando História da Ciência e o lúdico: As experiências de Henri, o pupilo de Lavoisier

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Victor Gomes Lima Ferraz ◽  
Fernanda Luiza De Faria ◽  
Flávia Ribas De Brito ◽  
Ingrid Nunes Derossi ◽  
Maria Helena Zambelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eighteenth Century ◽  
Science Teaching ◽  
History Of Science ◽  
French Revolution ◽  
Teaching Science ◽  
Women In Science ◽  
Conservation Of Mass ◽  
The Future ◽  
History Of

ResumoEste artigo aborda a utilização de um jogo virtual como recurso didático e as possibilidades de aplicação para o professor. Desse modo, apresentamos a narrativa central do jogo e alguns aspectos que permitem a discussão sobre a visão da ciência e do cientista, o papel da mulher na ciência, dentre outros. No jogo, o jogador é inserido no século XVIII, durante a Revolução Francesa, e é apresentado a Antoine Laurent Lavoisier e sua esposa. Ao longo da história o jogador é convidado a enfrentar alguns desafios que trabalham conceitos sobre a Lei da Conservação da Massa. A partir dessa discussão apresentamos alguns resultados da aplicação do jogo, onde observamos que os alunos conseguiram executar as atividades propostas sem dificuldades. Futuramente pretendemos disponibilizar o jogo para professores utilizarem esse recurso com seus alunos. Palavras-chave: História da Ciência; Ensino de Ciência.AbstractThis paper discusses the use of a virtual game as didactic resource and the possibilities of application for the teacher. In this way we present the central narrative of the game and some aspects that allow the discussion about the vision of science and the scientist, the role of women in science, among others. In the game, the player is inserted in the eighteenth century during the French Revolution, and is introduced to Antoine Laurent Lavoisier and his wife. Throughout history the player is invited to face some challenges that discusses some concepts on the law of conservation of mass. From this discussion we present some results of the application of the game, where we observed that the students were able to execute the proposed activities without difficulties. In the future we intend to make the game available for teachers to use this resource with their students.Keywords: History of Science; Teaching Science.

Editing Faraday

2002 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. A. J. L. James
Keyword(s):  
History Of Science ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Modern History ◽  
Especial Reference ◽  
History Of ◽  
Science In Society

This article considers the role of publishing the correspondence and papers of individual scientists, especially Michael Faraday's, in the history of science. In turn, the issue of how the history of science fits into general history is discussed with especial reference to the centrality of science in modern society and culture, through education and textbook histories, but is currently generally unrecognized as such. The demonstration of its centrality through modern history of science should foster a much stronger understanding of the position of science in society.

Introduction

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-29
Author(s):  
Samiparna Samanta
Keyword(s):  
Environmental History ◽  
History Of Science ◽  
Urban History ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Domestic Animals ◽  
Empire Building ◽  
Extant Literature ◽  
History Of ◽  
Scientific Imagination

This tale of animals and Empire in colonial Calcutta rests at the intersection of three scholarships: history of science/medicine, environmental history and urban history. The introduction situates this study in the larger historiographical narrative and describes the contribution of the project to South Asian scholarship and beyond. Much of the extant literature on environmental history has gone toward arguing for the role of nature as a historical actor. But it has been relatively less emphatic toward the study of non-human subjects, particularly domestic animals in empire building. The novelty and richness of the book lies in its invocation of complex networks of human and nonhuman actors in an empire to inform the metropolitan scientific imagination. It also foregrounds the theoretical underpinnings and methodology of this book by highlighting what is new about this work.

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