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Johann Heinrich Lambert's Scientific Tool Kit, Exemplified by His Measurement of Humidity, 1769–1772

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 January 2010

Maarten Bullynck
Maarten Bullynck*
Affiliation:
Université Paris 8 Vincennes à St.-Denis
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Argument

Johann Heinrich Lambert (1728–1777) developed a very detailed theory of science and experiment. Using Lambert's hygrometric studies, this article provides an introduction to Lambert's theory and its practice. Of special interest is his well-founded theory on the emergence and definition of concepts and his neat eye for heuristics that should ultimately lead to a mathematization of physical phenomena. His use of visualizations in this context is especially remarkable.

Type
Research Article
Information
Science in Context , Volume 23 , Issue 1 , March 2010 , pp. 65 - 89
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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