Roberts, Bryan W. (2011) How Galileo dropped the ball and Fermat picked it up. Synthese, 180 (3). pp. 337-356. ISSN 0039-7857
Abstract
This paper introduces a little-known episode in the history of physics, in which a mathematical proof by Pierre Fermat vindicated Galileo’s characterization of freefall. The first part of the paper reviews the historical context leading up to Fermat’s proof. The second part illustrates how a physical and a mathematical insight enabled Fermat’s result, and that a simple modification would satisfy any of Fermat’s critics. The result is an illustration of how a purely theoretical argument can settle an apparently empirical debate.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Official URL: | http://link.springer.com/journal/11229 |
| Additional Information: | © 2011 Springer |
| Library of Congress subject classification: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BC Logic |
| Sets: | Departments > Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method |
| Date Deposited: | 05 Nov 2013 15:36 |
| URL: | http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/54085/ |
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