Constructing strangeness: Exploratory modeling and concept formation

Publikation: Beiträge in ZeitschriftenZeitschriftenaufsätzeForschungbegutachtet

Authors

The notion of exploratory modeling constitutes a powerful heuristic tool for historical-epistemological analysis and especially for studying concept formation. I will show this by means of a case study from the history of particle physics: The formation of the concept of “strangeness” in the early 1950s at the interface of theory and experiment. Strangeness emerged from a broad space of possibilities opened up by exploratory modeling by authors working in communication and competition, and constructing both new questions and new answers. A systematic focus on exploratory modeling also helps compensate a bias towards the “right” developments still often present in historical investigations of theoretical work.

OriginalspracheEnglisch
ZeitschriftPerspectives on Science
Jahrgang29
Ausgabenummer4
Seiten (von - bis)388-408
Anzahl der Seiten21
ISSN1063-6145
DOIs
PublikationsstatusErschienen - 20.08.2021

Zugehörige Projekte

  • DFG-Kolleg-Forschergruppe MECS (Medienkulturen der Computersimulation)

    Projekt: Forschung

DOI