Axiomatics and Progress in the Light of 20th Century Philosophy of Science and Mathematics

Abstract

This paper is a contribution to the question of how aspects of science have been perceived through history. In particular, I will d iscuss how the contri- bution of axiomatics to the development of science and mathematics was viewed in 20th century philosophy of science and philosophy of mathematics. It will turn out that in connection with scientific methodology, in p articular regarding its use in the context of discovery, axiomatics has received only very little atten- tion. This is a rather surprising result, since axiomatizat ions have been employed extensively in mathematics, science, and also by the philosophers themselves.