Frisch, Muller and Belot on an Inconsistency in Classical Electrodynamics

Vickers, Peter (2007) Frisch, Muller and Belot on an Inconsistency in Classical Electrodynamics.

Full text available as:
PDF - Requires a viewer, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader or other PDF viewer.

Abstract

This paper follows up a debate as to whether classical electrodynamics is inconsistent. Mathias Frisch makes the claim in Inconsistency, Asymmetry and Non-Locality ([2005]), but this has been quickly countered by Fred Muller ([2007]) and Gordon Belot ([2007]). Here I argue that both Muller and Belot fail to connect with the background assumptions which support Frisch’s claim. Responding to Belot I explicate Frisch’s position in more detail, before providing my own criticisms. Correcting Frisch’s position, I find that I can present the theory in a way both authors can agree upon. Differences then manifest themselves purely within the reasoning methods employed.

Commentary on:Belot, Gordon (2006) Is Classical Electrodynamics an Inconsistent Theory?.
EPrint Type:Preprint
Keywords:Electrodynamics, Frisch, Muller, Belot, Consistent, Inconsistent, Consistency, Inconsistency
Subjects:Specific Sciences: Physics: Fields and Particles
ID Code:3661
Deposited By:Vickers, Peter
Deposited On:23 November 2007
Additional Information:Forthcoming in the British Journal for the Philosophy of Science

Commentary/Response Threads