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Carl Gustav Hempel Quotes

The propositions of mathematics are devoid of all factual content; they convey no information whatever on any empirical subject matter.

The propositions of mathematics are devoid of all factual content; they convey no information whatever on any empirical subject matter.

Carl Gustav Hempel
Math, Information, Matter
Carl Gustav Hempel (2001). “The Philosophy of Carl G. Hempel: Studies in Science, Explanation, and Rationality”, p.13, Oxford University Press on Demand

The most distinctive characteristic which differentiates mathematics from the various branches of empirical science, and which accounts for its fame as the queen of the sciences, is no doubt the peculiar certainty and necessity of its results.

Carl Gustav Hempel
Queens, Math, Doubt
Carl Gustav Hempel (2001). “The Philosophy of Carl G. Hempel: Studies in Science, Explanation, and Rationality”, p.18, Oxford University Press on Demand

A geometrical theory in physical interpretation can never be validated with mathematical certainty ... ; like any other theory of empirical science, it can acquire only a more or less high degree of confirmation.

Carl Gustav Hempel
Degrees, Confirmation, Interpretation
Carl Gustav Hempel (2001). “The Philosophy of Carl G. Hempel: Studies in Science, Explanation, and Rationality”, p.28, Oxford University Press on Demand

The propositions of mathematics have, therefore, the same unquestionable certainty which is typical of such propositions as "All bachelors are unmarried," but they also share the complete lack of empirical content which is associated with that certainty: The propositions of mathematics are devoid of all factual content; they convey no information whatever on any empirical subject matter.

Carl Gustav Hempel
Math, Typical, Statistics
Carl Gustav Hempel (2001). “The Philosophy of Carl G. Hempel: Studies in Science, Explanation, and Rationality”, p.13, Oxford University Press on Demand

...to characterize the import of pure geometry, we might use the standard form of a movie-disclaimer: No portrayal of the characteristics of geometrical figures or of the spatial properties of relationships of actual bodies is intended, and any similarities between the primitive concepts and their customary geometrical connotations are purely coincidental.

Carl Gustav Hempel
Math, Might Use, Body
Carl Gustav Hempel (2001). “The Philosophy of Carl G. Hempel: Studies in Science, Explanation, and Rationality”, p.24, Oxford University Press on Demand

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