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Philosophy of Sciences

2014 year, number 2

The genesis of maxwellian electrodynamics: the inter-theoretic context

R.M. Nugayev
Russian cooperation University Kazan, Kazan
Keywords: theory, scientific program, scientific revolution, model, Maxwell, electrodynamics

Abstract

The paper considers the genesis of maxwellian electrodynamics in the light of the author’s theory-change model which was tested earlier for the cases of Copernican and Einsteinian scientific revolutions. The author shows that in the considered case the new theory arisen at the cross of pre-maxwellian research programs. Continuum mechanics appeared to be a “neutral language” used for comparing conclusions of theories developed in these programs and revealing relations between them. Maxwell’s program not just excelled Ampere and Weber’s program but assimilated some its theses. The ideas of Kantian epistemology are the basis of Maxwell’s strategy of unifying theories.