The contribution of history and philosophy to the conceptual approach of Physics. Old and new puzzles

EVANGELOS VITORATOS, SOTIRIOS SAKKOPOULOS

Abstract

Physics in textbooks is presented dogmatically, as if the physical magnitudes and laws are imposed by Nature. This sort of Physics refers to an idealized, not the real Nature. Moreover, the acceptance of a physical theory is determined from the preoccupations imposed by the culture of the time proper. Physics is the result of an endless effort to understand the World, so it cannot be dogmatic, as it is expected to change continuously. The current of different ideas, depicted in History and Philosophy, gives the opportunity to think about Nature making Physics a pleasant intellectual exercise.

Keywords

Physics education, world image, theories and preoccupations, change of ideas

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.26220/rev.2241

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