The overall project
This research collaboration works at the crossroads of physics, philosophy of science, and contemporary history of science. It aims at an epistemological analysis of the recently launched new accelerator experiment at CERN, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Central themes are (i) the mechanisms of generating the masses of the particles of the standard model, especially the Higgs-mechanism and the Higgs-particle the LHC has set out to detect; (ii) the ongoing research process with special emphasis on the interaction between a large experiment and a community of theoreticians; and (iii) the implications of an experiment that is characterized by its enormous complexity and the need to be highly selective in data gathering. With the heading "Epistemology of the LHC" the research group intends both a philosophical analysis of the theoretical structures and of the conditions of knowledge production, among them the criteria of acceptance, and a real-time monitoring of the ongoing physical development from the perspective of the history of science. Theresearch group has emerged from a collaboration between a High Energy Working group and the Interdisciplinary Centre for Science and Technology Studies and is based in Wuppertal but also involves external members and collaborators.
Project 1: The epistemic dynamic of model development at the LHC
Project 2: LHC-experiments between theory-ladennes and eploration
Project 3:An ontological and epistemological analysis of the Higgs-Mechanism
Project 1: The epistemic dynamic of model development at the LHC
Project 2: LHC-experiments between theory-ladennes and eploration
Project 3:An ontological and epistemological analysis of the Higgs-Mechanism
News
Update January 2012: Please find new information about the workshop here.
November 2011:
The research collaboration "Epistemology of the LHC" organizes a workshop entitled "Modeling and LHC", which will take place at Wuppertal University from January 26th to January 28th 2012. See here for more details.
August 2011:
The German periodical "Die Zeit" reports about the project "The epistemic developments of model development at the LHC". Please see here for the report.
The German periodical "Die Zeit" reports about the project "The epistemic developments of model development at the LHC". Please see here for the report.
July 2011:
There have been reports about the "First International Spring School on Particle Physics and Philosophy" in the FAZ, the RGA and the Cern Courier. Please see here.
There have been reports about the "First International Spring School on Particle Physics and Philosophy" in the FAZ, the RGA and the Cern Courier. Please see here.
May 2011:
The "First International Spring School on Particle Physics and Philosophy" has ended, and according to many accounts it has been a roaring success. The website of the school contains the slides of the lecturers, some pictures, and the reading list for the tutorials.
The "First International Spring School on Particle Physics and Philosophy" has ended, and according to many accounts it has been a roaring success. The website of the school contains the slides of the lecturers, some pictures, and the reading list for the tutorials.