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Meta-Theoretical Issues in The Early 1890's
Duhem was the first to publish a paper addressing his theory that theoretical physics went beyond the relationship between mathematical analysis and experience (Bordoni). This was the foundation that much of his later work would build upon.
Works Cited:
Bordoni, Stefano. “The French Roots of Duhem’s Early Historiography and Epistemology.” Transversal (Belo Horizonte), no. 2, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 2017, pp. 20–35, https://doi.org/10.24117/2526-2270.2017.i2.04. -
A New Kind of Scientific Practice
Duhem devised a new scientific practice containing 4 parts: mathematical laws, theories, metaphysics, and phenomena (Bordoni). In Bordoni's article, he articulates that each idea was independent of the others and stated that "a plurality of theories could stem from a definite set of laws, and a plurality of metaphysical assumptions could stem from a theory or set of theories". -
Gibbs-Duhem Equation
One of Duhem's major contributions to thermodynamics, an equation outlining the changes occurring in chemical potential of components an the thermodynamic systems (Snyder). The equation consists of: the number of moles, entropy, pressure, volume, and number of components, displaying that properties are related vice independent.
I could not find the exact year or time period this was formulated. -
"The Aim and Structure of Physical Theory"
In 1906, Duhem wrote this book which opposed Newton's theory of universal mutual gravity, stating that it was contradictory of Kepler's laws of planetary motion, amongst other problems related to attempts at confirming physics theories (Stanford). Duhem claimed that the Kepler's laws were predicted by Newton's theory, and that the progression of physics should continue regardless if "the theory violates metaphysical dogma" (Encycolpedia). -
Duhem-Quine Thesis
Duhem-Quine thesis, also known as the underdetermination of scientific theory, proposed: for any given groups of observations there is are an infinite number of explanations. Essentially stating that, no matter how much knowledge you have access to, it may be insufficient in coming to an accurate conclusion at any time (Stanford). Later, the underdetermination theory was split into two major forms: holist and contrastive (Stanford).
See this YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-klqI4d_wbY