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Philosophical perspectives on ad hoc-hypotheses and the Higgs mechanism

Friederich, Simon and Harlander, Robert V. and Karaca, Koray (2014) Philosophical perspectives on ad hoc-hypotheses and the Higgs mechanism. [Preprint]

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Abstract

We examine physicists' charge of ad hocness against the Higgs mechanism in the standard model of elementary particle physics. We argue that even though this charge never rested on a clear-cut and well-entrenched definition of "ad hoc", it is based on conceptual and methodological assumptions and principles that are well-founded elements of the scientific practice of high-energy particle physics. We further evaluate the implications of the recent discovery of a Higgs-like particle at the CERN's Large Hadron Collider for the charge of ad hocness against the Higgs mechanism.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Friederich, Simonemail@simonfriederich.eu
Harlander, Robert V.robert.harlander@uni-wuppertal.de
Karaca, Koraykaracak@gmail.com
Additional Information: citable version is: Synthese, 191, 3897-3917 (2014)
Keywords: ad hoc, methodology, particle physics, Higgs mechanism, naturalness
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
General Issues > Theory Change
Depositing User: Dr. Simon Friederich
Date Deposited: 03 Nov 2014 13:27
Last Modified: 03 Nov 2014 13:27
Item ID: 11115
Official URL: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11229-...
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1007/s11229-014-0504-4
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
General Issues > Theory Change
Date: 3 November 2014
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/11115

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