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Article ID: CBB000930746

The Empirical Basis of Equilibrium: Mach, Vailati, and the Lever (2008)

Palmieri, Paolo (Author)

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science
Volume: 39
Pages: 42--53
Publication date: 2008
Language: English

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About a century ago, Ernst Mach argued that Archimedes's deduction of the principle of the lever is invalid, since its premises contain the conclusion to be demonstrated. Subsequently, many scholars defended Archimedes, mostly on historical grounds, by raising objections to Mach's reconstruction of Archimedes's deduction. In the debate, the Italian philosopher and historian of science Giovanni Vailati stood out. Vailati responded to Mach with an analysis of Archimedes's deduction which was later quoted and praised by Mach himself. In this paper, my objective is to show that the debate can be further advanced, as Mach indicated, by reframing it in terms of the empirical vs. the logical dimensions of mechanics. In this way, I will suggest, the debate about Archimedes's deduction can be resolved in Mach's favour. Keywords: Equilibrium; Experience; Thought experiment; Archimedes; Ernst Mach; Giovanni Vailati

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Description On the debate between Ernst Mach and Giovanni Vailati over Archimedes' deduction of the principle of the lever.

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