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International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Book | Chapter

185694

Activation of the eddy mental schema, multiple analogies and their heuristic cooperation in the historical development of fluid dynamics

A. Ulazia

pp. 145-166

Abstract

If we analyze the early historical evolution of the concept of eddy or vortex, it can be shown that it constitutes a mental schema and a powerful heuristic instrument in scientific thinking, with the intuitive properties of rotation and dissipation. This mental schema presents a great capacity to constitute a fruitful analogical source and to develop an analogical inference. For example, Descartes considered celestial vortexes to explain planetary motion, or Maxwell developed the electromagnetic theory via a model based on rotating vortexes. But there were more creative and detailed uses of the eddy schema which had great importance as a cooperative heuristic instrument, instead of as a mere expedient analogy. I will present two episodes to underline the activation via provocative analogy of the eddy schema, multiple roles that it can play and its heuristic adaptability: first, the eureka visualization of an eddy by Johann Bernoulli in the genesis of fluid dynamics; and second, Reynolds's discovery of the importance of eddies to understand the dynamic and resistance of flow.

Publication details

Published in:

Danks David, Ippoliti Emiliano (2018) Building theories: heuristics and hypotheses in sciences. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 145-166

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-72787-5_8

Full citation:

Ulazia A. (2018) „Activation of the eddy mental schema, multiple analogies and their heuristic cooperation in the historical development of fluid dynamics“, In: D. Danks & E. Ippoliti (eds.), Building theories, Dordrecht, Springer, 145–166.