The Dynamics of Theories

Abstract

In this final chapter, I shall attempt to bring together and elaborate upon several points that have been “mentioned in passing” in the previous discussion. Most of these points have to do with what I have called ‘the dynamic aspect of physics theorizing’ — that is, with the way theories of mathematical physics grow and develop in time. Some of these questions were discussed near the end of Chapter IV and were mentioned again in discussing the identity conditions for theories of mathematical physics in the preceding chapter. We shall begin the discussion by attempting to say more about the nature of the characteristic range of intended applications in a theory of mathematical physics. This will provide something closer to necessary and sufficient conditions for being a theory of mathematical physics than was provided in the previous chapter. Then we shall consider in some detail the question of what it is for a person to have a theory of mathematical physics. This will provide an account of the characteristic ways that a person’s beliefs may change while he still has the same theory. In doing this we will examine some objections to our account of the identity criteria for theories of mathematical physics. In particular, we shall examine a certain view about the genesis of such theories which suggests that this view requires modification. Finally, we shall have something to say about how people come to have theories of mathematical physics, how they cease to have them, and how the conceptual apparatus in theories once held is related to the conceptual apparatus in theories held subsequent to them.