Pierre Duhem (June 9, 1861 – September 14, 1916) was a French physicist, historian of science, and philosopher of science. He is best known for his contributions to thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and elasticity theory, as well as his groundbreaking work in the philosophy of science, particularly the Duhem-Quine thesis. Duhem argued that scientific hypotheses cannot be tested in isolation but are always embedded within a broader theoretical framework. He also made significant contributions to the history of medieval science, challenging the notion of the 'Dark Ages' by highlighting the role of medieval scholars in laying the foundations for modern science. His major works include 'The Aim and Structure of Physical Theory' and 'The System of the World.'
