Chall, Cristin (2019) Model-Groups as Scientific Research Programmes. European Journal for Philosophy of Science. ISSN 1879-4912
|
Text
BSMModelDynamics Preprint.pdf Download (324kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Lakatos's methodology of scientific research programmes centres around series of theories, with little regard to the role of models in theory construction. Modifying it to incorporate model-groups, clusters of developmental models that are intended to become new theories, provides a description of the model dynamics within the search for physics beyond the standard model. At the moment, there is no evidence for BSM physics, despite a concerted search effort especially focused around the standard model account of electroweak symmetry breaking (also known as the Higgs mechanism). Using the framework provided by Lakatosian research programmes, we can capture the way the periphery of a model-group changes as the available parameter space shrinks, while its central tenets remain untouched by unfavourable experimental findings. By way of motivation, I provide two case studies of model-groups that offer alternative mechanisms for electroweak symmetry breaking: supersymmetry and composite-Higgs models. Both of these model-groups are under pressure from the discovery of the Higgs boson, yet they have both been active research projects in the years after the Higgs discovery. However, a proper assessment of the progress of an ongoing research programme is impossible through a purely Lakatosian lens, so I propose replacing it with Laudan's problem-solving account, which provides ongoing assessment, while offering normative guidance concerning the pursuit-worthiness of research programmes. My incorporation of model-groups into Lakatosian research programmes captures the developments of two attempts to expand our physical description of the world, and Laudan's problem-solving rationality allows us to assess their pursuit-worthiness.
| Export/Citation: | EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL |
| Social Networking: |
| Item Type: | Published Article or Volume | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creators: |
|
||||||
| Keywords: | Model Dynamics, Particle Physics, Lakatosian Research Programmes, Higgs Boson, Theory Choice, Scientific Progress | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory General Issues > Theory Change |
||||||
| Depositing User: | Mr. Cristin Chall | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 23 Nov 2019 06:53 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 23 Nov 2019 06:53 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 16649 | ||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | European Journal for Philosophy of Science | ||||||
| Publisher: | Springer | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory General Issues > Theory Change |
||||||
| Date: | 2019 | ||||||
| ISSN: | 1879-4912 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/16649 |
Monthly Views for the past 3 years
Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years
Plum Analytics
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
![[feed]](http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/style/images/feed-icon-32x32.png){kind=icon}