Friederich, Simon and Harlander, Robert V. and Karaca, Koray (2013) Philosophical perspectives on ad hoc-hypotheses and the Higgs mechanism. [Preprint]
Abstract
We examine physicists' charge of adhocness 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 which are well-founded elements of the scientific practice of high-energy particle physics. Based on our findings, we dispute the claim made by Christopher Hunt in a recent article in "Philosophy of Science" that the use of "ad hoc" by scientists reflects nothing more substantial than a judgment made on the basis of their "individual aesthetic senses". We further evaluate the implications of the recent discovery of a Higgs-like particle at the CERN Large Hadron Collider for the charge of adhocness against the Higgs mechanism.
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