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Against the impossible picture: Feynman's heuristics in his search for a divergence-free quantum electrodynamics

Wüthrich, Adrian (2013) Against the impossible picture: Feynman's heuristics in his search for a divergence-free quantum electrodynamics. [Published Article]

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Abstract

I review three early steps of the development of Feynman's proposal for a divergence-free quantum electrodynamics and identify the characteristic feature of his heuristics: the search for alternative formulations of the existing theories. Feynman's reformulations always had precise goals, and in each of the three steps one of them was particularly important. Through reformulation, he tried (1) to extend the domain of application of an existing theory, (2) to provide a model to justify the theory's equations, or (3) to reveal assumptions problematic for the existing theory and in this way find amendments to it.

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Item Type: Published Article
Keywords: Feynman, heuristics, reformulation, means of representation, quantum electrodynamics
Subjects: General Issues > History of Science Case Studies
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Depositing User: Adrian Wüthrich
Date Deposited: 28 Feb 2013 10:20
Last Modified: 28 Feb 2013 10:20
Item ID: 9594
Publisher: University of Dortmund
Official URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2003/29919
DOI or Unique Handle.: 2003/29919
URI: http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9594

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