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arXiv · 1305.5110

Philosophical perspectives on ad hoc hypotheses and the Higgs mechanism

Simon Friederich·Robert V. Harlander·Koray Karaca
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Abstract

We examine physicists' charge of ad hocness against the Higgs mechanism in the standard model of elementary particle physics. We argue that even though this charge never rested on a clear-cut and well-entrenched definition of "ad hoc", it is based on conceptual and methodological assumptions and principles that are well-founded elements of the scientific practice of high-energy particle physics. We further evaluate the implications of the recent discovery of a Higgs-like particle at the CERN's Large Hadron Collider for the charge of ad hocness against the Higgs mechanism.

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Simon Friederich, Robert V. Harlander, Koray Karaca. 2014-11-03. Philosophical perspectives on ad hoc hypotheses and the Higgs mechanism. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11229-014-0504-4

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