scholarly journals PHENOMEN OF THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTIONS MISSED OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICS OF THE XXth CENTURY

Metaphysics ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 105-124
Author(s):  
V. P Vizgin
Keyword(s):  
Standard Model ◽  
Particle Physics ◽  
Gauge Fields ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
Unified Field Theory ◽  
Fundamental Physics ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Scientific Revolutions ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Creation

The phenomenon of missed opportunities in the course of two scientific revolutions in fundamental physics is investigated: in the quantum relativistic revolution of the first third of the 20th century and in the gauge revolution that led to the creation of a standard model in elementary particle physics (1954-1974). Two cases of missed opportunities related to H. Poincare and his role in the history of the creation of the special theory of relativity are examined on the material of the first revolution. Two other cases of missed opportunities concerning A. Einstein in connection with the theory of the expanding Universe and with failed attempts to build a unified field theory based on a geometric field program are also considered. It is shown that in these cases epistemological and metaphysical outlooks of scientists were in many respects the causes of the «omissions». We mean the conventionalism of Poincare, as well as Einstein’s belief in the stationarity of the Universe and in the incredible power of mathematics as the only creative beginning in the construction of the physical theories. Two similar plots are explored on the material of the second revolution. The first story refers to the Young-Mills’ concept of the gauge fields, which played a key role in the creation of standard model. Several theorists came very close to this concept and, above all, V. Pauli, who for various reasons did not make a decisive step and missed opportunities to associate their names with the theory of gauge fields. Pauli believed that, despite its theoretical attraction, it could not overcome experimentally - empirical difficulties. The second story is related to the quantum field program being rejected in 1950-1960s by most theorists in favor of the phenomenological S-matrix program. As a result, many theorists have missed their opportunities to contribute to the creation of a standard model. And this “omission” was partly motivated by the positivist thesis that in theory only fundamentally observable values should appear. It is emphasized also that the phenomenon of missed opportunities opens the way for the study of the problem of alternative history of science.

Constants of nature, scientific revolutions, and simplicity

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 372-384
Author(s):  
Alexander Unzicker
Keyword(s):  
Laws Of Nature ◽  
Fundamental Physics ◽  
Isaac Newton ◽  
Scientific Revolutions ◽  
Current State ◽  
History Of ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
Paradigm Shifting ◽  
Constants Of Nature

Since Isaac Newton, many physicists have conveyed the idea of the true laws of nature being governed by “simplicity,” a notion that has rarely been properly defined. When analyzing the history of fundamental physics until 1930, the number of constants of nature appears to be a useful measure for the complexity of theories, as opposed to the notion of simplicity. It can be observed that paradigm-shifting progress is often related to explanations of physical constants, thereby reducing their total number. Thus, it is argued that scientific revolutions are usually characterized by a pattern consisting of (1) a conceptual idea, (2) a mathematical formalism, and (3) a reduction of the number of independent constants of nature. This leads to a better understanding of the long-term impact of physical theories and may help to evaluate the current state of fundamental physics.

scholarly journals Time to move on?

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (13) ◽  
pp. 1645014 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Standard Model ◽  
General Theory ◽  
Particle Physics ◽  
Beyond The Standard Model ◽  
Paradigm Shifts ◽  
Theory Of Relativity ◽  
General Theory Of Relativity ◽  
The Standard Model ◽  
Cosmological Inflation ◽  
Theoretical Paradigms

Cosmology and particle physics have long been dominated by theoretical paradigms: Einstein’s general theory of relativity in cosmology and the standard model of particle physics. The time may have come for paradigm shifts. Does cosmological inflation require a modification of Einstein’s gravity? Have experiments at the LHC discovered a new particle beyond the Standard Model? It is premature to answer these questions, but we theorists can dream about the possibilities.

Socio-Cultural Aspects of the Standard Model in Elementary Particles Physics and the History of Its Creation

2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 160-175
Author(s):  
Vladimir P. Vizgin ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Elementary Particle ◽  
Standard Model ◽  
Gauge Field ◽  
Particle Physics ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Elementary Particle Physics ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
The Standard Model ◽  
History Of

The article соnsiders the socio-cultural aspects of the standard model (SM) in elementary particle physics and history of its creation. SM is a quantum field gauge theory of electromagnetic, weak and strong interactions, which is the basis of the modern theory of elementary particles. The process of its elaboration covers a twenty-year period: from 1954 (the concept of gauge fields by C. Yang and R. Mills) to the early 1970s., when the construction of renormalized quantum chromodynamics and electroweak theory wеre completed. The socio-cultural aspects of SM are explored on the basis of a quasi-empirical approach, by studying the texts of its creators and participants in the relevant events. We note also the important role of such an “external” factor as large-scale state projects on the creation of nuclear and thermonuclear weapons, which provided personnel and financial support for fundamental research in the field of nuclear physics and elementary particle physics (the implementation of thermonuclear projects took place just in the 1950s, and most of the theorists associated with the creation of SM were simultaneously the main developers of thermonuclear weapons, especially in the USSR). The formation of SM is considered as a competition between two research programs (paradigms) – gauge-field and phenomenological, associated with the rejection of the field concept. The split of the scientific community of physicists associated with this competition is going on during this period. It’s accompanied by a kind of “negotiations”, which in the early 1970s lead to the triumph of the gauge field program and the restoration of the unity of the scientific community. The norms and rules of the scientific ethos played the regulatory role in this process. The scientific-realistic position of the metaphysical attitudes of the majority of theorists and their negative attitude to the concepts of philosophical relativism and social construction of scientific knowledge are emphasized. Some features of the history of SM creation are also noted, such as the positive role of aesthetic judgments; “scientific-school” form of research (in the USSR), its pros and cons; a connection to historical-scientific “drama of ideas” with “dramas of people” who made a wrong choice and (or) “missed their opportunities”.

Indirect measurements in micro-space with the EM

1995 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 598-599
Author(s):  
Sterling P. Newberry
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Standard Model ◽  
Particle Physics ◽  
Information Storage ◽  
Storage Space ◽  
Indirect Measurements ◽  
Storage And Retrieval ◽  
Adequate Information ◽  
Compelling Reason ◽  
The Standard Model

At the 1958 meeting of our society, then known as EMSA, the author introduced the concept of microspace and suggested its use to provide adequate information storage space and the use of electron microscope techniques to provide storage and retrieval access. At this current meeting of MSA, he wishes to suggest an additional use of the power of the electron microscope.The author has been contemplating this new use for some time and would have suggested it in the EMSA fiftieth year commemorative volume, but for page limitations. There is compelling reason to put forth this suggestion today because problems have arisen in the “Standard Model” of particle physics and funds are being greatly reduced just as we need higher energy machines to resolve these problems. Therefore, any techniques which complement or augment what we can accomplish during this austerity period with the machines at hand is worth exploring.

Elite da Liberdade: a contribution to the history of black clubs in Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 396-411
Author(s):  
Petrônio José Domingues
Keyword(s):  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Black Identity ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Educational Discourse ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Creation

This article investigates the trajectory of the Grêmio Dramático, Recreativo e Literário Elite da Liberdade (the Liberdade Elite Guild of Drama, Recreation, and Literature), a black club active in São Paulo, Brazil, from 1919 to 1927. The aim is to reconstruct aspects of the club’s history in light of its educational discourse on civility, which was used as a strategy to promote modern virtues in the black milieu. By appropriating the precepts of civility, Elite da Liberdade helped construct a positive black identity, enabled the creation of bonds of solidarity among its members, and made itself a place of resistance and struggle for social inclusion, recognition, and citizens’ rights.

The Russian Holy Synod and the Greeks

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 72-98
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Chrissidis
Keyword(s):  
Early Modern ◽  
Early Modern Period ◽  
Critical Assessment ◽  
Peter The Great ◽  
Modern Period ◽  
Greek History ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Creation

Abstract The article first surveys Greek interpretations of the creation of the Russian Holy Synod by Peter the Great. It provides a critical assessment of the historiographical paradigm offered by N.F. Kapterev for the analysis of Greek-Russian relations in the early modern period. Finally, it proposes that scholars should focus on a Greek history of Greek-Russian relations as a complement and possibly corrective to the Kapterev paradigm.

History of the creation and activities of the League of Nations

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 (09) ◽  
pp. 108-113
Author(s):  
Alexander Begichev ◽  
Alexander Galushkin ◽  
Andrey Zvonaryev ◽  
Victor Shestak
Keyword(s):  
League Of Nations ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Creation

Russian Museum of Emperor Alexander III as a place of memory

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (11-1) ◽  
pp. 132-147
Author(s):  
Dmitry Rakovsky
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Historical Consciousness ◽  
Russian Society ◽  
Museum Collection ◽  
Works Of Art ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Historical Representations

The main purpose of this article is to study the role of the Russian Museum in the formation of the historical consciousness of Russian society. In this context, the author examines the history of the creation of the Russian Museum of Emperor Alexander III and its pre-revolutionary collections that became the basis of this famous museum collection (in particular, the composition of the museum’s expositions for 1898 and 1915). Within the framework of the methodology proposed by the author, the works of art presented in the museum’s halls were selected and distributed according to the historical eras that they reflect, and a comparative analysis of changes in the composition of the expositions was also carried out. This approach made it possible to identify the most frequently encountered historical heroes, to consider the representation of their images in the museum’s expositions, and also to provide a systemic reconstruction of historical representations broadcast in its halls.

History of the creation and activities of UNESCO

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (06) ◽  
pp. 192-197
Author(s):  
Elena Varustina ◽  
Aziza Marasulova ◽  
Valery Monakhov ◽  
Dmitry Pashentsev ◽  
Elena Rudakova
Keyword(s):  
History Of ◽  
The Creation
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