A Study of Henri Poincaré’s “Sur la Dynamique de l’Électron”

Miller, Arthur I.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4684-0548-4_2

Cited by 13 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Only with these amendments Lorentz's theory becomes completely predictively equivalent to special relativity. See (Cuvaj 1968;Darrigol 2006;Goldberg 1967;Miller 1973 33 . In the philosophy of science literature one can also find several arguments for explaining and justifying why special relativity defeated Lorentz's theory that invoke non-empirical features as the decisive factor.…”

Section: An Examplementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 1905, a few months before his paper on special relativity 31 Poincare published his On the Dynamics of the Electron-the work where he introduced the amendments and developments of Lorentz's theory that make it predictively equivalent to special relativity-in 1906. For a detailed presentation and analysis of this work, see (Miller 1973). 32 For a historical treatment of the formulation and early reception of special relativity see (Miller 1981).…”

Section: An Examplementioning

confidence: 99%

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Another look at empirical equivalence and underdetermination of theory choice

Acuña

Dieks

2014

Euro Jnl Phil Sci

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Abstract. In 1991 Larry Laudan and Jarret Leplin proposed a solution for the problem of predictive equivalence and empirical underdetermination. In this paper we claim that, even though Laudan and Leplin's reasoning is essentially correct, their solution of the underdetermination problem must be accurately assessed in order to appreciate its nature and scope. We argue that Laudan and Leplin's analysis does not refute the problem (as they claim). Instead, what they show is merely that science possesses tools that may eventually lead out of an underdetermination impasse. We apply their argument to a real case of two empirically equivalent theories: Lorentz's ether theory and Einstein's special relativity. We argue that this example shows that the core of Laudan and Leplin's proposal works, but also that the reassessment we argue for is correct and necessary. We conclude that empirical equivalence and underdetermination are ordinary scientific problems rather than problems that should be solved by epistemology.

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Section: An Examplementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: An Examplementioning

confidence: 99%

Another look at empirical equivalence and underdetermination of theory choice

Acuña

Dieks

2014

Euro Jnl Phil Sci

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“…1.8-1.14, 7.4, and 12.4). Miller (1973) is also responsible for a detailed analysis of the classic paper by Poincaré (1906) that introduced what came to be known as "Poincaré pressure" to stabilize Lorentz's purely electromagnetic electron. 11 The model has been discussed extensively in the physics literature, by Fritz Rohrlich and by such luminaries as Enrico Fermi, Paul Dirac,and Julian Schwinger.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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2006

Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science

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“…For details on Langevin's paper, seeMiller (1973). 21 See Langevin's notebook, box 123, and letter to his wife of 26 September, 1904, box 3, Fonds Langevin, Library of theÉcole supérieure de physique et de chimie industrielle,…”

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confidence: 99%

Figures of Light in the Early History of Relativity (1905–1914)

Walter

2018

Einstein Studies

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Albert Einstein's bold assertion of the form-invariance of the equation of a spherical light wave with respect to inertial frames of reference (1905) became, in the space of six years, the preferred foundation of his theory of relativity. Early on, however, Einstein's universal lightsphere invariance was challenged on epistemological grounds by Henri Poincaré, who promoted an alternative demonstration of the foundations of relativity theory based on the notion of a light ellipsoid. A third figure of light, Hermann Minkowski's lightcone also provided a new means of envisioning the foundations of relativity. Drawing in part on archival sources, this paper shows how an informal, international group of physicists, mathematicians, and engineers, including

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A Study of Henri Poincaré’s “Sur la Dynamique de l’Électron”

Cited by 13 publications

References 44 publications

Another look at empirical equivalence and underdetermination of theory choice

Another look at empirical equivalence and underdetermination of theory choice

Interactions

Figures of Light in the Early History of Relativity (1905–1914)

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