EAN: 9783319185088

THE UNKNOWN AS AN ENGINE FOR SCIENCE - HANS J P...

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.

Aktuelle Preise zur EAN 9783319185088

Produktinformationen zur 9783319185088