By exploring Mach's views on science as well as philosophy, this book attempts to wrest him free from his customary association with logical positivism and to reinterpret him on his own terms as a natural philosopher and naturalist about human knowledge. Physicists, psychologists, philosophers of science, historians of twentieth-century thought and culture, and educators will find this volume a valuable help in interpreting Mach's ideas.

Inhalt

Preface. Introduction. 1: The Viennese Background. 2: A New Theory Of Matter. 3: Herbart's Metaphysics. 4: Mach On Space Sensations. 5: Mach And Riemann. 6: Fechner And The Inner Side Of Nature. 7: From Sensations To World Elements. 8: The Economy Of Thought. 9: Neutral Monism From Mach To Russell. 10: Politics (And Physics) In Prague. 11: The Perpetual Motion Principle In Mechanics. 12: Machs Definitions Of Mass And Inertia. 13: The Wärmelehre. 14: Machs Late View Of Space And Natural Philosophy. Notes. References. Index.