Abstract
This chapter evaluates the predictive performance of thermodynamics in distinguishing between experimental and non-experimental contexts. Two historic case studies, namely on the latent heat of fusion and the ideal gas law, warrant the conclusion that experimental thermodynamics is characterized by predictive progress in depth as well as in scope. The non-experimental case is explored by examining attempts to predict the climate. Climatology’s predictive performance is found to be poor.
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© 2006 Deutscher Universitäts-Verlag | GWV Fachverlage GmbH, Wiesbaden
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(2006). Forecast performance in natural sciences. In: Prediction or Prophecy?. DUV. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-8350-9053-8_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-8350-9053-8_4
Publisher Name: DUV
Print ISBN: 978-3-8350-0223-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-8350-9053-8
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