In Nature in 1971, volume 233, page 357, W. H. Brock reviewed a book by Robert Fox, The Caloric Theory of Gases from Lavoisier to Regnault, published by Oxford U. The reviewer begins with this comment of Edward Frankland: “it is by no means necessary that a theory should be absolutely true in order to be a great help to the progress of science." Very nice quote. It relates to the epistemology of scientific knowledge as well as the historical progress of science. No source is given for the quote. Do you know the provenance of the quote?
Dimitri Milch,
Thank you for your reference, impressive. I had spent time looking through the various books I could find online. Unfortunately, I did not find Experimental Researches in Pure, Applied and Physical Chemistry which you found, and which has the quote at page 27.
Much appreciated.
Bob Shour
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Physical Sciences
- Theoretical Physics