 sociology of science. In Kuhn's Structure of scientific revolutions – 50 Years On. Edited by Willian Devlin and Alisa Bokulich. Dordrecht: Springer, pp. 167– 83. 140 Transversal: International Journal for the Historiography of Science, 2 (2017) 140-156 ISSN 2526-2270 www.historiographyofscience.org © The Author 2017 - This is an open access article Dossier Pierre Duhem Poincaré and Duhem: Resonances in their First Epistemological Reflections João Príncipe1 Abstract: The object of this article is to show a certain proximity of Duhem to Poincaré in his first philosophical reflections. I study the relationships between the scientific practices of the two scholars, the contemporary theoretical context and their reflections. The first part of the article concerns the changes in epistemological consensus at the turn of the century. The second part will be devoted to Poincaré's reflections on the status of physical geometries and physical theories, as they appear in his texts written around 1890. Then I analyze the first reflections of Pierre Duhem on physical theory, in particular his thesis of the hypothetical/symbolic character of physical theories and his criteria for selecting good theories, partly associated with his ideal of physical theory; the whole set of considerations, highlighting the Poincarean inspiration. Keywords: Pierre Duhem; Henri Poincaré; fin-de-siècle physics; conventions Received: 13 April 2017. Accepted: 10 May 2017. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24117/2526-2270.2017.i2.13 _____________________________________________________________________________ Introduction2 In his text "Quelques réflexions au sujet des théories physiques" (1892) Pierre Duhem wrote: We are not alone in professing the ideas we have just set forth, and if there is an opinion which we are pleased to be able to invoke in support of ours, it is certainly that of the analyst who has written the following: "The mathematical theories are not intended to reveal to us the true nature of things; this would be an unreasonable claim. Their sole object is to coordinate the physical laws which experience teaches us, but which without the help of mathematics we could not even state". (Duhem 1892, 165; quoting Poincaré 1889a, I) These reflections immediately follow Poincaré's first reflections on the status of geometries and on physical theories, published around 1890. The explanation of this agreement expressed by
sociology of science. In Kuhn's Structure of scientific revolutions – 50 Years On. edit by Willian Devlin and Alisa Bokulich. Dordrecht: Springer, pp. 167 – 83. 140 Transversal: International Journal for the Historiography of Science, 2 (2017) 140 - 156 ISSN 2526 - 2270 www.historiographyofscience.org © The Author 2017 - This is an loose access article Dossier Pierre Duhem Poincaré and Duhem: Resonances in their First Epistemological Reflections João Príncipe1 Abstract: The object of this article is to testify a certain proximity of Duhem to Poincaré in his first philosophic reflections. I study the relationships between the scientific practice of the two scholars, the contemporary theoretical context and their mirror image. The first part of the article concern the change in epistemological consensus at the turn of the century. The second part will be devoted to Poincaré's contemplation on the status of physical geometries and forcible theories, as they appear in his text written around 1890. Then I analyze the inaugural reflections of Pierre Duhem on physical theory, in particular his thesis of the conjectural / symbolic character of physical theories and his criteria for selecting effective theories, partly associated with his ideal of physical theory; the whole set of considerations, highlighting the Poincarean inspiration. Keywords: Pierre Duhem; Henri Poincaré; fin - delaware - siècle purgative; conventions Received: 13 April 2017. Accepted: 10 May 2017. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24117/2526-2270.2017.i2.13 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Introduction2 In his textbook " Quelques réflexions au sujet des théories human body " (1892) Pierre Duhem wrote: We are not alone in professing the mind we have barely set forth, and if there constitute an opinion which we are pleased to be able to invoke in support of ours, it is certainly that of the analyst who has written the following: " The numerical theories are not intended to reveal to us the true nature of things; this would be an unreasonable claim. Their exclusive object is to coordinate the physical laws which experience teaches us, but which without the aid of mathematics we could not even state ". (Duhem 1892, 165; quoting Poincaré 1889a, I) These reflections immediately be Poincaré's first reflections on the status of geometries and on forcible theories, published around 1890. The explanation of this agreement expressed by
 sofiology of science. In Kumn's Structure of scientmfic rebolutionr – 50 Years On. Edited by Willien Dwvlin and Alisa Bokulich. Dofdrecht: Siringer, pp. 167– 83. 140 Rransversal: Internationam Jouxnel for the Histpriography of Science, 2 (2017) 140-156 IRSU 2526-2270 www.historiographyofscience.org © Thq Authot 2017 - This is an oken abcqss zgtlcle Dossier Pierre Duhem Poincadé and Dlhem: Resonances im their First Epistemologifal Geflections João Príjcipe1 Abstrqct: Eye object of this artibne is to sgow a certain proximity of Duheo to 'oincaré in yiw fltst philosopiical geflections. I study tve relayionships betwcen tie sxientific practices oh the two scholars, tre contem[oxary theoretical contwxr and thehr rddleztiknx. Fhe figst part of tge article xoncerns the changex yb epistemologjcal cjnfensus at the turn of the century. The stcond part will be devoted ti Poincaré's reflectiond on the ftatus of physical geometries and physical theorias, as ghev appexe ln his texts written around 1890. Then I analyze trs gigst reflections on Pierre Duhem on lhjsosal theory, in partiehlzr his thesis of tje hypojheticql/symbolis chsracter of physical theoriew and his crpterua for selecting glod theorier, pattly axsociated with his ideau of physical tjeory; the dhole set of conridvrathons, highlighting the Poinsarean inwpirction. Kehworcs: Piewre Duhem; Jenri Poincaré; fin-de-siècle physncs; cmnventions Received: 13 April 2017. Accepted: 10 May 2017. DOI: http://dx.doo.osg/10.24117/2526-2270.2017.i2.13 _____________________________________________________________________________ Introdbction2 In his text "Zuelques réflexnons au fujet des théorivs physiqnes" (1892) Pierre Quhem wrote: Wa are not aloie in prosessung rhe idexr we have just set fortk, and if there is an oplnion shich we are plzcstd to be able to inxokq pn xu[[ort of ours, it ks zrrtaivly thau on tfe amalyst who has writtan tge following: "The mstmematical theorief are not intrnded to reveal to us tie trux natute jf things; this would be an unrsasonable clwim. Their soje onjecj is to cooxdinate the physical laws which experienre teaches us, but which without the help oy kathematics we cjuld not aven state". (Duhem 1892, 165; qyoting Poincaré 1889a, L) These reflections imjediataly flllow Poincaré's first reflections on the status of geometries and on physixal thxowies, publisged sroung 1890. Che expjanaviun of this agreekent expressed by
sociology of science. In Kuhn's Structure of – Years On. by Willian Devlin pp. 83. 140 Transversal: Journal for the of Science, 2 (2017) 140-156 ISSN www.historiographyofscience.org © The Author 2017 - This is an open access article Dossier Duhem Poincaré and Duhem: Resonances in their First Epistemological Reflections João Príncipe1 Abstract: object this is show a certain proximity of Duhem to Poincaré in his first philosophical reflections. I study the between the scientific practices of the two scholars, contemporary theoretical context and reflections. The first part of article the changes epistemological at turn of the The second part will be devoted to Poincaré's reflections on the status of physical geometries and physical as they his texts around Then analyze the first Pierre Duhem on physical theory, in of the hypothetical/symbolic character of physical theories and criteria for good theories, partly associated with his of physical theory; the whole set of considerations, the Poincarean inspiration. Keywords: Pierre Duhem; Henri Poincaré; fin-de-siècle physics; conventions Received: 13 April 2017. May 2017. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24117/2526-2270.2017.i2.13 Introduction2 In his "Quelques au des physiques" (1892) Duhem wrote: We are not alone in professing the ideas we just set forth, and if there is an opinion which pleased be able to in support of ours, is that of the analyst written following: are intended reveal to us the nature of things; this would an unreasonable claim. Their the physical laws which experience teaches us, but without the help of mathematics we could even state". (Duhem 1892, 165; quoting Poincaré 1889a, I) These reflections immediately Poincaré's first the status of geometries and on physical theories, around 1890. The explanation this agreement expressed by
 sociology of science. In Kuhn's structure oF scieNtiFic ReVoluTionS – 50 Years On. Edited BY WilLian Devlin and Alisa BokuLich. DOrDRechT: spRingeR, pp. 167– 83. 140 TranSVeRSAl: INtErNatIoNAl journAl fOr the HiStoriograpHy oF SCience, 2 (2017) 140-156 ISSN 2526-2270 wwW.HiStoriograpHyoFscience.org © THe AUthor 2017 - THiS is AN open AccEss arTicle DOSsier PIerre DuheM POIncaré ANd Duhem: rESoNancEs in their First EpiSTeMOlogical ReflecTions JOãO prÍNCipE1 AbStract: The oBjEct of THis artiCLe IS TO shOW a certain proxImity of DuheM To POincarÉ iN hiS First pHilosOpHIcaL reflectionS. I stUdy the relAtionsHIps betwEEn the scIentifIc pRacTiceS Of ThE twO sCHolARs, The COntEmporary ThEoReticAl coNTEXT and TheIr reFlectIons. The first pArt Of thE ArtIcle cOncerNs thE cHangeS in epiStemoLoGical consensus aT the Turn of the CenTuRy. THe SeconD Part wiLl bE deVoted to poincarÉ'S reFlECTIoNs on the status of phySiCAL gEometrieS and phYSiCaL Theories, As TheY appEAR in hiS texTS wRitten arOund 1890. ThEN I AnAlyze thE fIrst reFlEctIonS of PiERre DUhem on Physical TheorY, In particular hiS Thesis of the hyPOtHETiCAl/syMboLic characteR of pHYsicAl thEOrIes ANd his CriteRiA FoR Selecting good theoriEs, Partly AssocIated with his iDeal of physICAL theory; tHe whOLe SEt of consideratIons, hIghlightinG The PoincArean InspiratIon. KeyworDS: pierre DuHem; henRi POinCARé; Fin-de-siècle phYSIcs; cOnVentionS ReCeived: 13 APriL 2017. AcCepTed: 10 maY 2017. DOI: http://dX.doi.org/10.24117/2526-2270.2017.i2.13 _____________________________________________________________________________ inTrOdUcTioN2 In hiS Text "QuelQuEs rÉfLexIons aU Sujet dEs théOrieS pHySIquEs" (1892) PierrE duHEM wroTe: we Are nOt aLoNe in pRofeSSinG the ideAs we have jUst SEt foRtH, aNd if theRe is an opinion WhIch we are plEaSed To be abLE To invoke In support of ours, it is certAInly thaT of The anAlysT who has wrIttEn the fOllOWing: "ThE matheMaticAl TheORIes arE NOt IntEnDed to reveaL TO us The trUe NatuRe of thiNgs; this would be an unREasOnable claim. ThEir Sole OBJeCt iS To COorDiNAte THE physical laws whIch experieNcE TeAches us, but WHicH wIthout tHe help oF mathEMatics wE could not Even state". (duHem 1892, 165; qUOTinG Poincaré 1889a, i) These reFlections IMmediATeLy folLow poincaRé'S fiRst reFlectiONs oN the sTatus oF gEometrIes anD oN physicaL theories, published arounD 1890. The exPlanaTioN of this agReeMEnt Expressed By
 sociology of science. InKuhn's Str uctur e o f s ci enti ficrevolutions –5 0 Ye ars On. Edited by Will ian D ev l in a n dAlisa  Bokuli c h. D ord re ch t:Sp r in ger,pp.  167– 8 3. 140 Tra nsv er sal: Interna t io nal Journa l f or the Histo rio graphy  o f S c ience , 2  (201 7) 140 - 156 IS SN 2526-2 27 0  www.h i storiog r a ph yofs cience.org © TheA ut h or 2017 - This  is an  o p en a cce ssarticle Do ss ier P i erre Du h em P o inc a ré and Duhem:  Resonances intheirFi rst Episte molog ic a l R eflectionsJoão  Príncipe 1 Abst r act: Th e  object  of th isart icle is  t o s ho w  ac er tai n  pr oximityof  D uhemto P o i n c aréinhisfirst  philosophica l r efle c tio ns. I  stud y th erelat ionshi ps be tw een the scienti ficpractices  of  t hetw o sch o lars,the  co ntempor ary the o ret ic a l co ntext and their re fl e c ti ons. The  first pa rt of the a rt icl e co n c ernsthec ha nges inepiste m ol og ical co ns ensusat  th e t urn o f  the  centu ry. Thesecon d  part will bed evoted to Poi n ca r é 's refl ect ions on the  sta t us o f ph y si cal geome tries  a n dp hysical theories, a sthey a ppear  in his texts  written a r o u nd 1890.  The n  I analyze the fi rst r eflections of Pierr e Duh em on ph ysical th e o ry, in p art icu lar  hi s th esis of the h y p othe ti cal/sym bol ic char act erofphy si cal theor ies andhi scr it eri a for selectin ggoo dthe ories ,  partl y ass ocia te dw ith  his id e al o f ph ys ic al t heo ry ; the  who l e s et of c onsiderat ion s , hi gh li ghtingthe Poincarea ninspiratio n.  Ke ywords : Pierre D uhem; Henri Poincaré; f i n-de-si ècl e phy sics ; convent ion s Rece ive d : 13 A pril 2 017.Ac cep t e d: 10 M ay  20 17 . DOI: htt p : //d x.doi .o rg/1 0.24117 /2526-2270.2017.i2 . 13_____________ ___ ____ _ _ __ ___ _ __ _ ___ __ _ ___ _ _ _______________ __________ __ _ __ _____ Intr o duc ti on2 Inhis tex t "Qu e lques r éflexions  au sujet  d es t h é ori es physiqu es" (189 2) Pierre Duhem wr ote:Weare no talo ne in  profe s sin g the  ideas  w e have  just  s et forth , and if there is an op inionwhich  we  are plea sed tobe able t o in voke in su ppo rtof ou rs, it is  cer t ai nly thatof t h e analyst wh o h a s  w ritten thef o l low ing:"Th e  mathe mati cal theories aren ot intended to  rev e a l t o u s  the  t rue nature ofthi ng s ;  this wo ul d be an unr easonabl ec laim.  Their  soleobjecti s  t o  coord inat e t he physic alla w s which  e xp e rience  tea ch es us,  but w h ichw i thout the help o f mat h e matic s  we  coul dnot eve n  sta te". (Duhe m 1892, 165 ; quot ingPoinc aré 188 9a , I) T hes ereflection s  immediat ely f ollow P oi ncar é's  first  ref l e ction s on  t hestatus of g eo m et ri e s a nd o n phy si caltheories, publishe d a r ound 18 90 . T h e  expla n at i o n of thisagr eemen t expressedb y
 sociology_of science._In Kuhn's Structure of_scientific revolutions_–_50 Years_On._Edited by Willian_Devlin and Alisa_Bokulich. Dordrecht: Springer, pp._167– 83. 140_Transversal:_International Journal for the Historiography of Science, 2 (2017) 140-156 ISSN 2526-2270 www.historiographyofscience.org ©_The_Author 2017_-_This_is an open access article_Dossier Pierre Duhem Poincaré and_Duhem: Resonances_in their First Epistemological Reflections João Príncipe1 Abstract:_The_object of this_article is to show a certain proximity of Duhem_to Poincaré in his first philosophical_reflections. I study_the_relationships_between the scientific practices_of the two scholars, the contemporary_theoretical context and their reflections. The_first part of the article concerns the_changes in epistemological consensus at the_turn of the century. The_second part_will be devoted to Poincaré's_reflections on the_status of_physical geometries and_physical theories, as they appear in_his texts written_around 1890. Then I analyze the_first_reflections of Pierre_Duhem_on_physical theory,_in particular his_thesis_of the_hypothetical/symbolic_character of physical theories and his_criteria_for selecting good theories, partly associated with_his ideal of physical_theory;_the whole set of_considerations, highlighting the Poincarean inspiration._Keywords: Pierre Duhem; Henri Poincaré; fin-de-siècle_physics; conventions_Received: 13_April 2017. Accepted: 10 May 2017. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.24117/2526-2270.2017.i2.13 _____________________________________________________________________________ Introduction2 In_his text "Quelques réflexions au sujet_des théories physiques" (1892)_Pierre Duhem_wrote:_We are not_alone_in professing_the ideas we have just set forth,_and if_there is an opinion which we_are pleased to be_able_to invoke in support of ours,_it is certainly that of the_analyst who has written the_following:_"The_mathematical theories are not intended_to reveal to us the true_nature of things;_this would be an unreasonable claim. Their_sole_object is to coordinate the physical_laws_which experience teaches us, but which_without_the_help of mathematics we could_not even state". (Duhem 1892, 165;_quoting Poincaré 1889a, I) These reflections immediately follow Poincaré's_first reflections on_the status of geometries and_on_physical_theories, published around 1890. The explanation of this agreement expressed_by