Carl Gustav Hempel Quotes

• 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

  15 Copy quote

• 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

  7 Copy quote

• 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

  13 Copy quote

• 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

  9 Copy quote

• ...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

  9 Copy quote

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