Seminar
The most important Mistakes in Physics‘s History
The Structure
of
Scientific Revolutions
Geocentric model
ANTIQUE
4-Elements Model
Kinetics of Inertia
Markus Köhli
Χρόνος
Geocentric model
ANTIQUE
Χρόνος
4-Elements Model
Kinetics of Inertia
PRE-PHYSICS ERA
Phlogiston
The Infinite
Markus Köhli
Alchemy
ANTIQUE
Geocentric model
Χρόνος
4-Elements Model
Kinetics of Inertia
PRE-PHYSICS ERA
Phlogiston
The Infinite
CLASSICAL PHYSICS
Aether Theory
N-Rays
Bohr: Atomic Model
Einstein‘s Lambda
Markus Köhli
Alchemy
ANTIQUE
Geocentric model
Χρόνος
4-Elements Model
Kinetics of Inertia
PRE-PHYSICS ERA
Phlogiston
The Infinite
CLASSICAL PHYSICS
Aether Theory
N-Rays
Bohr: Atomic Model
Einstein‘s Lambda
Alchemy
MODERN PHYSICS
Transuranium Elements
Cold Fusion
Heisenberg‘s Theory of Everything
Magnetic Monopoles
Polywater
Markus Köhli
ANTIQUE
Geocentric model
Χρόνος
4-Elements Model
PRE-PHYSICS ERA
Kinetics of Inertia
Phlogiston
The Infinite
Alchemy
MODERN PHYSICS
CLASSICAL PHYSICS
Transuranium Elements
Aether Theory
N-Rays
Bohr: Atomic Model
Cold Fusion
Heisenberg‘s Theory of Everything
Einstein‘s Lambda
Magnetic Monopoles
Polywater
PARTICLE PHYSICS
Gravitational Waves
GSI Neutral Particles
Double-Beta Decay
HERA-B
Superspeed Neutrinos
Markus Köhli
Super Symmetry
Pentaquarks
The Beginning of Science
Markus Köhli
The Beginning of Science
Markus Köhli
The Beginning of Science
Markus Köhli
The Structure of Science
Irrationalism
Markus Köhli
Dogmata
Metaphysics
The Structure of Science
Irrationalism
Dogmata
Metaphysics
Since 1386.
Hypothesis
pure logic of mind
Markus Köhli
The Structure of Science
Irrationalism
Dogmata
Metaphysics
Since 1386.
Rationalism
John Locke
René Descartes
Markus Köhli
Hypothesis
pure logic of mind
The Structure of Science
Irrationalism
Dogmata
Metaphysics
Since 1386.
Rationalism
Hypothesis
John Locke
pure logic of mind
René Descartes
Theory
Deduction
Induction
Empirical Research
Markus Köhli
The Structure of Science
Irrationalism
Dogmata
Metaphysics
Since 1386.
Rationalism
Hypothesis
John Locke
pure logic of mind
René Descartes
Empirism
Theory
Francis Bacon
David Hume
Deduction
Induction
Empirical Research
Markus Köhli
The Structure of Science
Irrationalism
Dogmata
Metaphysics
Since 1386.
Rationalism
Hypothesis
John Locke
pure logic of mind
René Descartes
Empirism
Theory
Francis Bacon
David Hume
Deduction
Induction
Empirical Research
Markus Köhli
The Structure of Science
Irrationalism
Dogmata
Metaphysics
Since 1386.
Rationalism
Hypothesis
John Locke
pure logic of mind
René Descartes
Empirism
Theory
Falsifiability
Francis Bacon
David Hume
Deduction
Empirical Research
Markus Köhli
The Structure of Science
Irrationalism
Dogmata
Metaphysics
Since 1386.
Rationalism
Hypothesis
John Locke
pure logic of mind
René Descartes
Empirism
Theory
Falsifiability
Francis Bacon
David Hume
Empirism
Karl Popper
Markus Köhli
Deduction
Empirical Research
The Structure of Science
Irrationalism
Dogmata
Metaphysics
Since 1386.
Rationalism
Hypothesis
John Locke
pure logic of mind
René Descartes
Empirism
Theory
Falsifiability
Francis Bacon
David Hume
Empirism
Karl Popper
Markus Köhli
Deduction
Empirical Research
„If any and every failure to fit
were ground for theory rejection,
all theories ought to be rejected at all times.“
The Structure of Science
Irrationalism
Dogmata
Metaphysics
Since 1386.
Rationalism
Hypothesis
John Locke
pure logic of mind
René Descartes
Empirism
Theory
Falsifiability
Francis Bacon
David Hume
Empirism
Karl Popper
Markus Köhli
Deduction
Empirical Research
Thomas Kuhn: „If any and every failure to fit
were ground for theory rejection,
all theories ought to be rejected at all times.“
The Structure of Science
Science as a social business
Markus Köhli
The Structure of Science
Science as a social business
Paradigm
“A paradigm (…) is a whole way of doing science in a particular
field that includes an entire package of ideas and claims about
the world, as well as of methods for gathering and analyzing
data, of pursue the theoretical elaboration of the field.”
Thomas Kuhn
Markus Köhli
The Route of Science
Pre-Paradigm Phase
chaotic
aimless
Structure
Normal Science
Paradigm
Revolution
Normal Science
Markus Köhli
New Paradigm
The Route of Science
Pre-Paradigm Phase
chaotic
aimless
Structure
Normal Science
Revolution
Paradigm
Paradigm Shift
Normal Science
Markus Köhli
New Paradigm
The Three Phases of Science
Pre-Paradigm Phase
• manyfold of theories exist
• incomplete and inconsistent theories
• no particular consensus on any theory
• ineffective
Markus Köhli
The Three Phases of Science
Pre-Paradigm Phase
• manyfold of theories exist
• incomplete and inconsistent theories
• no particular consensus on any theory
• ineffective
Eventually: Opinions gather around one
Examples
ARISTOTELES: Physica (4th c. BC)
PTOLEMÄUS: Almagest (2nd c.)
NEWTON: Principia (1686), Opticks (1704)
FRANKLIN: Experiments and Observations on Electricity (1750)
LAVOISIER: Elementary Treatise on Chemistry (1789)
Markus Köhli
The Three Phases of Science
Normal Science = established Paradigm
• puzzle solving
• advance in details, refinement
• „scientific engineering“
• no revision process
• theoretical background stays constant
• no debate about fundamental principles
Markus Köhli
Paradigm
The Three Phases of Science
Normal Science
Paradigm
Three Foci:
• solving of ‚new‘ problems, revelations
• testing what is already predicted by theory
• Articulate a theory, e.g. determine parameters and constants
Markus Köhli
The Three Phases of Science
Anomaly and Crisis
Paradigm
Incommensurable
Other Theory
Markus Köhli
The Three Phases of Science
Anomaly and Crisis
Not yet solved
Additional assumption
Paradigm
Counter tuning argument
Other Theory
Markus Köhli
The Three Phases of Science
Anomaly and Crisis
Not yet solved
Additional assumption
Paradigm
Counter tuning argument
Other Theory
Markus Köhli
The Three Phases of Science
Anomaly and Crisis
Paradigm
anomalies of old theory
=
background of new theory
Markus Köhli
New Paradigm
The Three Phases of Science
Anomaly and Crisis
• Anomalies: data incompatible with theory
• Anomalies: predictions not met
Revolution happens if:
• critical mass of anomalies reached
• a new paradigm has emerged
Markus Köhli
The Three Phases of Science
Anomaly and Crisis
• Anomalies: data incompatible with theory
• Anomalies: predictions not met
Revolution happens if:
• critical mass of anomalies reached
• a new paradigm has emerged
Markus Köhli
any alone won‘t lead to
paradigm shift
The Three Phases of Science
Normal Science again
New Paradigm
Markus Köhli
Actual Example
of
Crisis & Paradigm
Markus Köhli
Example: Footprint of Cosmic Neutrons
Can cosmic neutrons
…be used to probe the moisture content of the soil
?
primary (high energetic)
nucleus
Neutrons
Neutrons
range?
D
dry
D
wet
Example: Footprint of Cosmic Neutrons
Markus Köhli
Example: Footprint of Cosmic Neutrons
Simulated Detector Response
range
D
radial distance [m]
86% quantile
Markus Köhli
ANTIQUE
Geocentric model
Χρόνος
4-Elements Model
PRE-PHYSICS ERA
Kinetics of Inertia
Phlogiston
The Infinite
Alchemy
MODERN PHYSICS
CLASSICAL PHYSICS
Transuranium Elements
Aether Theory
N-Rays
Bohr: Atomic Model
Cold Fusion
Heisenberg‘s Theory of Everything
Einstein‘s Lambda
Magnetic Monopoles
Polywater
PARTICLE PHYSICS
Gravitational Waves
GSI Neutral Particles
Double-Beta Decay
HERA-B
Superspeed Neutrinos
Markus Köhli
Super Symmetry
Pentaquarks