Scientific philosophy: origins and interpretations. Hans Reichenbach and the Berlin Group ; Philosophie scientifique : origines et interprétations. Hans Reichenbach et le groupe de Berlin

Abstract

After recalling various contexts in which the idea of scientific philosophy emerged and developed in Germany in the 19th century, the purpose of the article is to describe the design of Reichenbach, which is contrasted with that of several members of the Vienna Circle. I can also show the epistemological and institutional link between the Reichenbach group in Berlin and the group of Göttingen around Hilbert. I also outline a close relationship between some characteristic features of Reichenbach's position and the regional conception of French historical epistemology. Hilbert's axiomatic and metamathema are of course a common root in the orientations followed by Reichenbach and the French epistemologists of mathematics. However, the impact of the theory of relativity, quantum mechanics and probabilities calculation was no less significant, and the concepts of time, space, substance, cause and law were substantially revived in a challenge to the arguments of Kantien transcendantalism, which is in the interest of actual scientific practice. ; International audience After recalling various contexts in which the notion of scientific philosophy emerged and gained momentum in the nineteenth century in Germany, the article aims at describing Reichenbach's view on the subject as distinct from that of several members of the Vienna Circle. In particular, I show an epistemological and institutional connection between Reichenbach's circle in Berlin and Hilbert's in Göttingen. I also draw connections between specific traits of Reichenbach's viewpoint and the regional one developed by the French historical epistemology. Hilbert's axiomatic method and meta-mathematics are certainly a common root for both Reichenbach's orientation, as well as that of the French historical epistemology of mathematics. But the impact of relativity theory, quantum mechanics, as well as probability theory was no less important for the matter as it deeply renewed the concepts of time, space, substance, cause, and law by questioning the thesis of ...