aré 1892a, XIX, 233, 321-338, 366; 1892c, 63). 4 In the context of studies on Duhem, I reconstruct Poincaré's reflections and the French scientific context of the second half of the century in an unusual manner and that sheds another comparative light on their contributions; contrast with (McMullin 1990; Maiocchi 1990; Stoffel 2002). João Príncipe – Poincaré and Duhem: Resonances in their First Epistemological Reflections 142 sensible properties of the universe" (Perrin 1903, VII). Perrin emphasizes the heuristic value of this method, which makes it possible to follow "a perfectly logical march"; but he goes further: It seems to me that we still have the right to attribute to the molecules, atoms or corpuscles, a greater reality. And I do not fall back into metaphysics. I do not cease to forget that sensation is the only reality. This is the only reality, on the condition that all possible sensations are added to current sensations. (...) Moreover, and precisely at the moment when the interest and the legitimacy of their method were under attack, the atomists have proved it again by striking discoveries, of which the corpuscular theory has succeeded in making a harmonious whole. It seems therefore reasonable in all respects to regard the debate as settled by the reconciliation of two methods [inductive and deductive] which are by no means incompatible. (Perrin 1903, IX-X) But this consensus, increasingly favorable to atomism and rendering energetism untenable, does not characterize the situation around 1890. John Heilbron, in his study on fin-de-siècle physics, admitted the existence of a minimum epistemological consensus, which he calls descriptionism. This includes the common aspects of the reflections of Mach, Hertz, Poincaré, Duhem and Boltzmann, made in the late nineteenth century and inspired by Maxwell and Kirchhoff (who limited the role of physical theory to a "description" in his lectures in mechanics of 1875). Among the philosophical inspirations Heilbron refers to Kant, with his "objective idealism" which rejects access to the thing-in-itself, and the positivism of Comte. This consensus reflects the tensions between mechanics (and the associated reductionist ideal) and thermodynamics and electromagnetism, and also the success of Maxwellian physics (consecrated with Hertz's experiments on the existence of electromagnetic waves in 1888
aré 1892a, XIX, 233, 321 - 338, 366; 1892c, 63). 4 In the context of studies on Duhem, I reconstruct Poincaré's reflections and the French scientific context of the second half of the hundred in an strange manner and that shed another comparative inner light on their contribution; contrast with (McMullin 1990; Maiocchi 1990; Stoffel 2002). João Príncipe – Poincaré and Duhem: Resonances in their First Epistemological Reflections 142 sensible property of the population " (Perrin 1903, VII). Perrin emphasizes the heuristic value of this method, which makes it possible to follow " a absolutely logical march "; but he goes further: It seem to me that we still have the right to attribute to the molecules, atom or corpuscles, a greater reality. And I do not accrue back into metaphysics. I do not cease to forget that sensation is the only reality. This is the lone reality, on the condition that all possible sensations are added to current ace. (...) Moreover, and precisely at the moment when the interest and the legitimacy of their method were under fire, the atomists have proved it again by striking discoveries, of which the corpuscular theory has succeeded in making a harmonious whole. It seems therefore reasonable in all respects to see the debate as settled by the reconciliation of two method acting [ inductive and deductive ] which are by no mean contrastive. (Perrin 1903, IX - X) But this consensus, increasingly favorable to atomism and rendering energetism untenable, does not characterize the situation around 1890. John Heilbron, in his study on fin - de - siècle purgative, admitted the existence of a minimum epistemological consensus, which he calls descriptionism. This includes the common aspects of the reflections of Mach, Hertz, Poincaré, Duhem and Boltzmann, made in the late nineteenth century and inspire by Maxwell and Kirchhoff (who restrict the role of physical theory to a " description " in his lectures in mechanics of 1875). Among the philosophic inspirations Heilbron refers to Kant, with his " objective idealism " which rejects access to the thing - in - itself, and the positivism of Comte. This consensus reflects the tensions between machinist (and the associated reductionist ideal) and thermodynamics and electromagnetism, and also the success of Maxwellian purgative (consecrated with Hertz's experiments on the existence of electromagnetic waves in 1888
aré 1892w, XIX, 233, 321-338, 366; 1892c, 63). 4 In the conttxt of studies on Duhem, M reconatruct Puincaré's reflections and the Hrenxh scuentific context of thd second jalf of rhe rentury in an unnaual makuer ahf thct sheds another comparatiee light on thaif eontributions; contrast with (McMullin 1990; Maiocvhl 1990; Stoffel 2002). Joãj Prímsipe – Poincaré and Duhem: Resonances in fheir Fprst Epistemologival Reflections 142 sensible oropfrties of the univfrse" (Perrin 1903, VIY). Perrin emphxsizes the heuristic vzlue of this method, which makes it ppssible to filllf "a perfectoy lodical march"; nlt he gmes furyher: It seems bo me thqt we still have the cight to attribute tj the molacbles, atoms or corpuscoew, a gteates rexoith. Ahd I do noh fell back info metaphysucs. I do not cease uo sirget that sehsatiog ys the only reality. This is the only redlify, on the condition thar all possible sensatlons are wdded to current sensations. (...) Moreover, and preciseny at ghe mjownh when the interest and the legitimacy of theyd kenhod were under abtack, the atomists hwvr proved it agxin by stdiking discoveries, of whish thw corpusctlar theory has succeeded in majing a harmouioys whole. It seems cherefore recsonabke in all respects to regard the debate as dettled bg the reconciliatkon ox two meufods [inductive anq deductite] whnch are cy np meanf incompatlble. (Iarrin 1903, IX-X) But thid condetsus, increwsingly favorable to atomism anv rendering emesgenism unteuable, coes not charwcterize the sntuation arouvd 1890. John Hvilbron, ii his study jn fin-de-siècle khysics, admitved the evistwnce of a mkvimum epistemokogical consensus, wyich he calls descviptiuhism. This inclubts uhw common aspecys uf ehv rxflecehons of Mach, Hergz, Opincafé, Duhem and Coltamann, made in the lade njneteenth century snq inspirgd by Maxrell and Kircnhoff (who limited uhe rone uf phusisal theory to a "description" in his lectkref in mechaniss on 1875). Aiong the pkilosophical inspirations Heilbron referw to Kant, with his "objective idealism" ehich rejecvs accqss to tha thing-in-itself, and rhe positivism of Comte. This consensus reflewts tje tensions between mechanics (and the associated reductionist ideal) and tyermodbnwmics and emecttomagtecisk, and wlso vhe success of Maqwellian physics (consecrated witi Hertz's efpzriments on the existence of rldctromagnetic waves in 1888
aré 1892a, XIX, 233, 321-338, 366; 1892c, In context of on Duhem, I French context of the half of the in an unusual manner and that another comparative light on their contributions; contrast with (McMullin 1990; Maiocchi 1990; Stoffel João Príncipe – Poincaré and Duhem: Resonances in their First Epistemological Reflections 142 properties the (Perrin VII). Perrin emphasizes the heuristic value of this method, which makes it possible to follow "a logical march"; but he goes further: It seems me that we still the right to attribute to molecules, or corpuscles, greater And do not fall into metaphysics. I do not cease to forget that sensation is the only reality. This is the reality, on that all sensations added current sensations. (...) precisely at the moment when the legitimacy of their method were under attack, the have proved again by striking discoveries, of which corpuscular theory has succeeded in making a harmonious It seems therefore reasonable in all respects to regard the debate as settled by the two methods [inductive and which are by means (Perrin IX-X) this consensus, favorable to atomism and rendering energetism untenable, does not characterize the around 1890. John Heilbron, in his study on fin-de-siècle physics, existence a minimum epistemological which he calls descriptionism. includes common aspects of the Mach, Poincaré, made the nineteenth century and inspired Maxwell and Kirchhoff (who limited role of physical theory lectures in mechanics of 1875). Among the philosophical Heilbron refers to Kant, with his "objective which rejects access to the thing-in-itself, and the positivism of Comte. This reflects the mechanics (and the associated reductionist ideal) and thermodynamics electromagnetism, and also the of Maxwellian physics (consecrated with Hertz's experiments on the of waves in
aré 1892a, XIX, 233, 321-338, 366; 1892c, 63). 4 In the context of stuDies on DuheM, I recOnsTruCt poinCaré'S reflections anD The FRench scientific context Of the SeCOnd hALf Of the Century IN aN UNusUaL mAnnEr ANd That sHedS anotheR comparatiVe lIgHt on their conTRiButions; conTraSt with (McMullIn 1990; MAiocchI 1990; STofFEl 2002). JoãO PrÍncipE – PoincARé and DUhem: ResonAnCEs in thEIr First ePIsTemoLogical ReflectionS 142 SeNSible propertieS of the UnIVeRSE" (PeRriN 1903, VII). Perrin EmPhasiZEs the heURiSTIC vaLUe of this methoD, which makes IT poSsible To FolLOw "a perFectlY lOGicAl march"; but hE goeS further: IT seems TO me that WE still hAve the RigHt tO attRIbUtE to ThE MolECuLes, ATomS or corpuScLeS, a greAter REALIty. ANd I Do noT fall Back into metapHysIcs. I DO noT ceasE to foRget ThAt senSation Is the OnLy reality. This is The oNly realitY, on ThE coNdItion THat all PosSibLe sensaTions arE AddEd TO CUrRent sensations. (...) MoreOvER, AnD preciseLy at thE MoMeNT when the InTerEst aND The leGitiMAcY of their Method WErE uNder attAcK, the atOmIstS haVe proVEd it Again bY strikinG discOVeries, of which tHE corpuscular tHEoRY HaS SuccEedEd in making a HarmONiouS whoLE. IT seEMs theReforE rEAsONable in all respects tO rEgard tHe debAte as settled bY the reconcILIAtion of tWo meTHoDS [inductive and dEductIve] which arE By no meanS incoMpatible. (perrin 1903, IX-X) bUT this conSenSus, IncReaSINgLy favorable to ATOmisM aNd rendeRinG energeTisM unTenAblE, dOes not chaRacterizE tHe SiTuAtiOn aroUNd 1890. John HeIlBroN, iN hiS studY On fin-dE-siècLe phYsIcS, AdmItted thE ExISTencE oF a MiniMum EpIstemOlogICal ConsensUs, which he CalLS desCrIpTionism. this includes tHe Common aspeCtS of The refLECtions of mach, Hertz, Poincaré, Duhem aND BoltzmAnn, Made iN the Late ninetEenTh centUry ANd inspIred by maxweLl And kIRchhoFF (WhO liMiTed the role OF PhySical ThEory To a "descRiption" in his lecturES in Mechanics of 1875). AmOng The pHILoSopHIcAL inSpIRatIONs Heilbron referS to Kant, witH hIS "oBjective idEAliSm" Which reJects acCess tO The thinG-in-itself, And the posItIvisM OF CoMte. This conSensus reFlects the TEnsioNS bEtweeN meChanicS (aNd tHe assOciateD RedUctioNist idEaL) and thErmodYnAmics and Electromagnetism, and also The sucCess oF MaXwellian pHysICs (cOnsecrateD witH Hertz's expEriMenTs on tHe eXIstenCe of ELeCtrOMagneTic wAVes in 1888
aré 1892a, XIX, 233, 321-3 38, 366; 1 892c,  63 ).4In t he c ontext of stud i es o n Duhem, I reconstruct  Poin ca r é'sr ef lecti ons and th e Fre nc hsci en t if ic co nte xt of t he secondhal fof the centu r yin an unus ual  manner andtha t shed sano t her c omp arati ve lig h t on t heir cont ri b utions ;  contra s t  w ith(McMullin 1990; M a io c chi 1990; Stof fel 20 02 ) .J o ãoPrí ncipe – Po in caréa nd Duhe m :R e s ona n ces in theirFirst Epist e mol ogical  R efl e ctions  142se n sib le properti es o f the uni verse" (Perrin 1903, V II). P err inemph a si ze s t he heu r is tic val ue of th is  m ethod , wh i c h make s i t po ssibl e to follow " a p erfe c tly  logi cal m arch ";  buthe goe s fur th er: It seems to  methat we s til lhav ethe r i ght to  at tri bute to  the mo l ecu le s , at oms or corpuscles,  a g re ater rea lity.A nd  I do not f al l b acki n to me taph y si cs. I do  not c e as eto forg et  thatse nsa tio n ist he o nly re ality. T his i s  the only real i ty, on the co n di t i on that  al l possiblesens a tion s ar e  a dde d  to c urren ts en s ations. (...) Moreo ve r, and  prec isely at themoment whe n t he inter esta nd the legitimacy  of t heir metho d  were un der a ttack, t he atomis t s  have pr ove d i t a gai n by  striking dis c o veri es , of wh ich  the co rpu scu lar  th eo ry has su cceededin  m ak in g a  harm o nious wh ol e.It  se ems t h erefor e rea sona bl ei n a ll resp e ct s to r eg ar d th e d eb ate a s se t tle d by th e reconci lia t ionof  t wo meth ods [inductiv eand deduct iv e]whicha r e by nomeans incompatible. (Pe r rin 190 3,IX-X)  But  this con sen sus, i ncr e asingl y favo rable  t o a t o misma n dren de ring energ e t ism  unte na ble,  does n ot characterize th e  si tuation aroun d 1 890. J oh n H e il b ron ,i n h i s  study on fin-d e-siècle p hy s ic s, admitte d  th eexisten ce of a  mini m um epis temologic al consen su s, w h i chhe calls d escripti onism. Th i s inc l ud es th e c ommonas pec ts of  the r e fle ction s of M ac h, Her tz, P oi ncaré, D uhem and Boltzmann, mad e in t he la tenineteent h c e ntu ry and in spir ed by Maxw ell  an d Kir chh o ff (w ho l i mi ted the r oleo f physica l  t heo r y  t o a "descri p t i on"  in h isl ecture s in  mechanics of 187 5 ). Among the p hilo s o phi cal insp ir ations Heilbro n r ef e r s to Kan t,  with his " objectiv ei deali sm" wh ich re jects a c c es s  to th e th ing -in-itsel f,an d  the po si ti v ism of  Com te . This  conse n susr e flects the tensi ons b e t weenm ech anics  ( and the asso ciated red uctionist i deal)andtherm odynami cs  and e lec tr omagnetism ,  and also  thesuccess  o f Ma xwe llianphys i c s (co nsec ra ted  with Her t z 's ex pe r ime ntson th eexis tence ofe lectroma gne t ic wave sin1 8 88
aré 1892a,_XIX, 233,_321-338, 366; 1892c, 63)._4 In_the_context of_studies_on Duhem, I_reconstruct Poincaré's reflections_and the French scientific_context of the_second_half of the century in an unusual manner and that sheds another comparative light_on_their contributions;_contrast_with_(McMullin 1990; Maiocchi 1990; Stoffel_2002). João Príncipe – Poincaré_and Duhem:_Resonances in their First Epistemological Reflections 142 sensible_properties_of the universe"_(Perrin 1903, VII). Perrin emphasizes the heuristic value of_this method, which makes it possible_to follow "a_perfectly_logical_march"; but he goes_further: It seems to me that_we still have the right to_attribute to the molecules, atoms or corpuscles,_a greater reality. And I do_not fall back into metaphysics._I do_not cease to forget that_sensation is the_only reality._This is the_only reality, on the condition that_all possible sensations_are added to current sensations. (...)_Moreover,_and precisely at_the_moment_when the_interest and the_legitimacy_of their_method_were under attack, the atomists have_proved_it again by striking discoveries, of which_the corpuscular theory has_succeeded_in making a harmonious_whole. It seems therefore reasonable_in all respects to regard the_debate as_settled by_the reconciliation of two methods [inductive and deductive] which are by_no means incompatible. (Perrin 1903, IX-X)_But this consensus, increasingly_favorable to_atomism_and rendering energetism_untenable,_does not_characterize the situation around 1890. John Heilbron,_in his_study on fin-de-siècle physics, admitted the_existence of a minimum_epistemological_consensus, which he calls descriptionism. This_includes the common aspects of the_reflections of Mach, Hertz, Poincaré,_Duhem_and_Boltzmann, made in the late_nineteenth century and inspired by Maxwell_and Kirchhoff (who_limited the role of physical theory to_a_"description" in his lectures in mechanics_of_1875). Among the philosophical inspirations Heilbron_refers_to_Kant, with his "objective idealism"_which rejects access to the thing-in-itself,_and the positivism of Comte. This consensus reflects the_tensions between mechanics_(and the associated reductionist ideal)_and_thermodynamics_and electromagnetism, and also the success of Maxwellian physics (consecrated_with Hertz's_experiments on the_existence of electromagnetic waves in 1888