The Structure of

Scientific Revolutions

Seminar The most important Mistakes in Physics‘s History

Geocentric model

4-Elements Model

Kinetics of Inertia

ANTIQUE Χρόνος

Markus Köhli

Geocentric model

Phlogiston The Infinite

4-Elements Model

Kinetics of Inertia

ANTIQUE

PRE-PHYSICS ERA

Χρόνος

Markus Köhli

Alchemy

Geocentric model

Aether Theory

Phlogiston The Infinite

Bohr: Atomic Model

Einstein‘s Lambda

N-Rays

4-Elements Model

Kinetics of Inertia

ANTIQUE

PRE-PHYSICS ERA

CLASSICAL PHYSICS

Χρόνος

Markus Köhli

Alchemy

Geocentric model

Aether Theory

Phlogiston The Infinite

Polywater

Bohr: Atomic Model

Transuranium Elements

Magnetic Monopoles

Einstein‘s Lambda

Cold Fusion

Heisenberg‘s Theory of Everything

N-Rays

4-Elements Model

Kinetics of Inertia

ANTIQUE

MODERN PHYSICS

PRE-PHYSICS ERA

CLASSICAL PHYSICS

Χρόνος

Markus Köhli

Alchemy

Geocentric model

Aether Theory

Phlogiston The Infinite

GSI Neutral Particles

Superspeed Neutrinos

HERA-B

Polywater

Bohr: Atomic Model

Transuranium Elements

Magnetic Monopoles

Gravitational Waves

Super Symmetry

Einstein‘s Lambda

Cold Fusion

Heisenberg‘s Theory of Everything

Pentaquarks

N-Rays

Double-Beta Decay

4-Elements Model

Kinetics of Inertia

ANTIQUE

MODERN PHYSICS

PRE-PHYSICS ERA

PARTICLE PHYSICS

CLASSICAL PHYSICS

Χρόνος

Markus Köhli

Alchemy

Markus Köhli

The Beginning of Science

Markus Köhli

The Beginning of Science

Markus Köhli

The Beginning of Science

Markus Köhli

The Structure of Science

Dogmata Metaphysics Irrationalism

Markus Köhli

The Structure of Science

Dogmata Metaphysics Irrationalism Since 1386.

Hypothesis

pure logic of mind

Markus Köhli

The Structure of Science

Rationalism John Locke

René Descartes

Dogmata Metaphysics Irrationalism Since 1386.

Hypothesis

pure logic of mind

Markus Köhli

The Structure of Science

Theory

Empirical Research

Deduction Induction

Rationalism John Locke

René Descartes

Dogmata Metaphysics Irrationalism Since 1386.

Hypothesis

pure logic of mind

Markus Köhli

The Structure of Science

Empirism Theory

Empirical Research

Francis Bacon

David Hume Deduction Induction

Rationalism John Locke

René Descartes

Dogmata Metaphysics Irrationalism Since 1386.

Hypothesis

pure logic of mind

Markus Köhli

The Structure of Science

Empirism Theory

Empirical Research

Francis Bacon

David Hume Deduction Induction

Rationalism John Locke

René Descartes

Dogmata Metaphysics Irrationalism Since 1386.

Hypothesis

pure logic of mind

Markus Köhli

The Structure of Science

Empirism Theory

Empirical Research

Francis Bacon

David Hume Deduction

Falsifiability

Rationalism John Locke

René Descartes

Dogmata Metaphysics Irrationalism Since 1386.

Hypothesis

pure logic of mind

Markus Köhli

The Structure of Science

Empirism Theory

Empirical Research

Francis Bacon

David Hume Deduction

Rationalism John Locke

René Descartes

Dogmata Metaphysics Irrationalism Since 1386.

Hypothesis

pure logic of mind

Empirism

Karl Popper

Falsifiability

Markus Köhli

The Structure of Science

Empirism Theory

Empirical Research

Francis Bacon

David Hume Deduction

Rationalism John Locke

René Descartes

Dogmata Metaphysics Irrationalism Since 1386.

Hypothesis

pure logic of mind

Empirism

Karl Popper

Falsifiability

„If any and every failure to fit were ground for theory rejection,

all theories ought to be rejected at all times.“

Markus Köhli

The Structure of Science

Empirism Theory

Empirical Research

Francis Bacon

David Hume Deduction

Rationalism John Locke

René Descartes

Dogmata Metaphysics Irrationalism Since 1386.

Hypothesis

pure logic of mind

Empirism

Karl Popper

Falsifiability

„If any and every failure to fit were ground for theory rejection,

all theories ought to be rejected at all times.“

Thomas Kuhn:

Markus Köhli

The Structure of Science

Science as a social business

Markus Köhli

The Structure of Science

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

Science as a social business

Markus Köhli

The Route of Science

Pre-Paradigm Phase

Normal Science

Normal Science

chaotic aimless

Paradigm

New Paradigm

Revolution

Structure

Markus Köhli

The Route of Science

Pre-Paradigm Phase

Normal Science

Normal Science

chaotic aimless

Paradigm

New Paradigm

Revolution

Structure

Paradigm Shift

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

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)

NEWTON: Principia (1686), Opticks (1704)

PTOLEMÄUS: Almagest (2nd c.)

FRANKLIN: Experiments and Observations on Electricity (1750)

LAVOISIER: Elementary Treatise on Chemistry (1789)

Markus Köhli

The Three Phases of Science

Normal Science

• puzzle solving • advance in details, refinement • „scientific engineering“ • no revision process • theoretical background stays constant • no debate about fundamental principles

= established Paradigm Paradigm

Markus Köhli

The Three Phases of Science

Normal Science

• solving of ‚new‘ problems, revelations • testing what is already predicted by theory • Articulate a theory, e.g. determine parameters and constants

Paradigm

Three Foci:

Markus Köhli

The Three Phases of Science

Anomaly and Crisis

Paradigm

Other Theory

Incommensurable

Markus Köhli

The Three Phases of Science

Anomaly and Crisis

Paradigm

Not yet solved

Additional assumption

Counter tuning argument

Other Theory

Markus Köhli

The Three Phases of Science

Anomaly and Crisis

Paradigm

Not yet solved

Additional assumption

Counter tuning argument

Other Theory

New Paradigm

Markus Köhli

The Three Phases of Science

Anomaly and Crisis

Paradigm

anomalies of old theory =

background of new theory

Markus Köhli

The Three Phases of Science

Anomaly and Crisis

• Anomalies: data incompatible with theory • Anomalies: predictions not met

• critical mass of anomalies reached • a new paradigm has emerged

Revolution happens if:

Markus Köhli

The Three Phases of Science

Anomaly and Crisis

• Anomalies: data incompatible with theory • Anomalies: predictions not met

• critical mass of anomalies reached • a new paradigm has emerged

Revolution happens if:

any alone won‘t lead to paradigm shift

Markus Köhli

The Three Phases of Science

Normal Science again

New Paradigm

Markus Köhli

Actual Example of

Crisis & Paradigm

Example: Footprint of Cosmic Neutrons

wet dry

D

primary (high energetic)

nucleus

D

Neutrons Neutrons

Can cosmic neutrons …be used to probe the moisture content of the soil ?

range?

Markus Köhli

Example: Footprint of Cosmic Neutrons

Markus Köhli

Example: Footprint of Cosmic Neutrons

Simulated Detector Response

radial distance [m]

D

range

86% quantile

Geocentric model

Aether Theory

Phlogiston The Infinite

GSI Neutral Particles

Superspeed Neutrinos

HERA-B

Polywater

Bohr: Atomic Model

Transuranium Elements

Magnetic Monopoles

Gravitational Waves

Super Symmetry

Einstein‘s Lambda

Cold Fusion

Heisenberg‘s Theory of Everything

Pentaquarks

N-Rays

Double-Beta Decay

4-Elements Model

Kinetics of Inertia

ANTIQUE

MODERN PHYSICS

PRE-PHYSICS ERA

PARTICLE PHYSICS

CLASSICAL PHYSICS

Χρόνος

Markus Köhli

Alchemy