In Inventing Temperature, Chang takes a historical and philosophical approach to examine how scientists were able to use scientific method to test the reliability of thermometers; how they measured temperature beyond the reach of thermometers; and how they came to measure the reliability and accuracy of these instruments without a circular reliance on the instruments themselves. Chang discusses simple epistemic and technical questions about these instruments, which in turn lead to more complex issues about the solutions that were developed.
Hasok Chang is Senior Lecturer in Philosophy of Science at University College London.
Chronology: 1: Keeping the Fixed Points Fixed2: Spirit, Air, and Quicksilver3: To Go Beyond4: Theory, Measurement, and Absolute Temperature5: Measurement, Justification, and Scientific Progress
the most important book on this subject since Bridgman's classic work of 1927... Chang's book should become mandatory reading for anyone who wants to pursue the problem of measurement further.
George E. Smith, Raghav Seth, Tufts University) Smith, George E. (Professor of Philosophy, Professor of Philosophy, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical) Seth, Raghav (Anesthesiology Resident, Anesthesiology Resident
Michael Weisberg, University of Pennsylvania) Weisberg, Michael (Department Chair and Professor, Department Chair and Professor, Department of Philosophy
Paul Hoyningen-Huene, Zurich) Hoyningen-Huene, Paul (Professor for Theoretical Philosophy, Professor for Theoretical Philosophy, Institute of Philosophy, Leibniz Universitat Hannover
Anjan Chakravartty, University of Miami) Chakravartty, Anjan (Appignani Foundation Professor of Philosophy, Appignani Foundation Professor of Philosophy
Henk W. de Regt, Henk de Regt, Radboud University Nijmegen) de Regt, Henk (Professor of Philosophy of Natural Sciences, Professor of Philosophy of Natural Sciences, Henk W. De Regt
Anouk Baberousse, Denis Bonnay, Mikael Cozic, Sorbonne Universite) Baberousse, Anouk (Professor of Philosophy of Science, Professor of Philosophy of Science, Universite Paris Nanterre) Bonnay, Denis (Assistant Professor in Logic and Philosophy of Mind, Assistant Professor in Logic and Philosophy of Mind, Universite Paris-Est Creteil) Cozic, Mikael (Assistant Professor in Philosophy of Science, Assistant Professor in Philosophy of Science, Anouk Barberousse
James Woodward, University of Pittsburgh) Woodward, James (Distinguished Professor of History and Philosophy, Distinguished Professor of History and Philosophy
Henk de Regt, Radboud University Nijmegen) de Regt, Henk (Professor of Philosophy of Natural Sciences, Professor of Philosophy of Natural Sciences, Henk W. de Regt, Henk W. De Regt
Paul Hoyningen-Huene, Zurich) Hoyningen-Huene, Paul (Professor for Theoretical Philosophy, Professor for Theoretical Philosophy, Institute of Philosophy, Leibniz Universitat Hannover
Henk W. de Regt, Henk de Regt, Radboud University Nijmegen) de Regt, Henk (Professor of Philosophy of Natural Sciences, Professor of Philosophy of Natural Sciences, Henk W. De Regt
James Woodward, University of Pittsburgh) Woodward, James (Distinguished Professor of History and Philosophy, Distinguished Professor of History and Philosophy