Taking up Space: The Case of the Ether
Votsis, Ioannis (2024) Taking up Space: The Case of the Ether. HAPP 10th Anniversary Commemorative Volume, Journal of Physics: Conference Series. (In Press)
Abstract
In this paper, we obtain some methodological lessons in theory construction and modification (generally called ‘theory choice’), using the ether as a test case. We focus on this posit both because it has a long history but also because it is associated with some spectacular theories and theorists. In view of the fact that the ether has been expunged from contemporary science, we ask why it survived as long as it did, whether its discussion was a waste of space, and where we do go from here. The last of these questions concerns not just the ether but also similar posits currently in circulation or those that will enter circulation in years to come.
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