Introduction: The Solidity of Scientific Achievements: Structure of the Problem, Difficulties, Philosophical Implications

Abstract

The introduction (a) defines robustness and solidity; (b) provides a systematic analysis of the structure of the problem of robustness; (c) stresses several important difficulties, makes suggestions intended to help to overcome them, and points to issues waiting for further work; (d) sketches the philosophical implications related to the solidity problem; (e) gives an overview of the different chapters of the present book.