Pierre Duhem, the History and Philosophy of Physics, and the Teaching of Physics

The distinguished physicist and historian and philosopher of science Pierre Duhem (1861–1916) not only taught physics, but also worked out in his Aim and Structure of Physical Theory a philosophical analysis of physics. Duhem's analysis offers important suggestions about how physics progresses and also how physics should be taught. This essay suggests what advice Duhem would give persons involved in physics teaching about how physics should be presented. In particular, it discusses Duhem's insightful critique of what he called the Newtonian method.