Experimental Accuracy, Operationalism, and Limits of Knowledge - 1925 to 1935
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4516525 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Mara Beller (Hebrew University of Jerusalem, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1988 |
| Volume | 2 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 147-162 |
| Publication date | 1988-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Science in Context (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0269-8897 • E-ISSN: 1474-0664 |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1017/s0269889700000521 |
| OpenAlex | W2076823073 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 6 |
| References cited | 11 |
The ArgumentThis paper analyzes the complex and many-layered interrelation between the realization of the inevitable limits of precision in the experimental domain, the emerging quantum theory, and empirically oriented philosophy in the years 1925-1935. In contrast to the usual historical presentation of Heisenberg's uncertainty principle as a purely theoretical achievement, this work discloses the experimental roots of Heisenberg's contribution. In addition, this paper argues that the positivistic philosophy of elimination of unobservables was not used as a guiding principle in the emergence of the new quantum theory, but rather mostly as a post facto justification. The case of P. W. Bridgman, analyzed in this paper, demonstrates how inconclusive operationalistic arguments are, when used as a possible heuristic aid for future discoveries. A large part of this paper is devoted to the evolution of Bridgman's views, and his skeptical reassessment of operationalism and of the very notion of scientific truth
De facto · Epistemology · Heuristic · Physics · Political science · Positivism · Quantum · Quantum mechanics · Skepticism · Statistics · Theoretical physics · Chemistry · Law · Mathematics · Philosophy · Philosophy and History of Science · Philosophy, Science, and History · Quantum Mechanics and Applications
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| Unique citing works | 6 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0.17 |
| Citation span | 1990 - 2001 (12) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |