Hermann Von Helmholtz and the Foundations of Nineteenth-Century ScienceDavid Cahan University of California Press, 1993 - 666 pages Hermann von Helmholtz (1821-1894) was a polymath of dazzling intellectual range and energy. Renowned for his co-discovery of the second law of thermodynamics and his invention of the ophthalmoscope, Helmholtz also made many other contributions to physiology, physical theory, philosophy of science and mathematics, and aesthetic thought. During the late nineteenth century, Helmholtz was revered as a scientist-sage—much like Albert Einstein in this century. David Cahan has assembled an outstanding group of European and North American historians of science and philosophy for this intellectual biography of Helmholtz, the first ever to critically assess both his published and unpublished writings. It represents a significant contribution not only to Helmholtz scholarship but also to the history of nineteenth-century science and philosophy in general. |
Contents
Helmholtz at the Borders | 1 |
The Science | 2 |
Helmholtz and the German Medical Community | 17 |
Color Research Richard L Kremer | 205 |
Helmholtzs Ueber die Erhaltung der Kraft | 291 |
Object States | 334 |
Helmholtzs Instrumental Role in the Formation | 374 |
Helmholtzs | 403 |
Helmholtzs Mechanical Foundation | 423 |
Other editions - View all
Hermann von Helmholtz and the Foundations of Nineteenth-Century Science David Cahan Limited preview - 1994 |
Hermann Von Helmholtz and the Foundations of Nineteenth-Century Science David Cahan Limited preview - 1993 |
Common terms and phrases
analysis apparatus argued atoms Berlin binocular Bois-Reymond Boltzmann Brewster's chemical chemical thermodynamics chemistry color color vision combination tones concept conservation of force corresponding developed effect electric electrodynamics electromagnetic Emil du Bois-Reymond empirical empiricist equation Erhaltung der Kraft essay Ewald Hering experimental experiments eye movements Fechner field fundamental German Handbuch heat Heidelberg Heinrich Hertz Helm Helmholtzian Hering's Hermann von Helmholtz Hertz holtz horopter Ibid idem images instruments interaction investigation James Clerk Maxwell Johann Kant Koenigsberger laboratory lecture Leipzig light Listing's Ludwig magnetic mathematical Maxwell Maxwell's measurements mechanical monocyclic systems motion Müller muscle nature nerve Newton objects observations ophthalmoscope particles perception phenomena philosophy physical physicists physiological acoustics physiological optics position potential principle problem processes produced retinal points rotation scientific sensations sensory spatial theoretical theory thermodynamics Ueber die Erhaltung velocity vis viva vision visual visual perception Volkmann vols Weber's Weberean Wilhelm Wundt