Philosophical perspectives on ad hoc hypotheses and the Higgs mechanism

作者：Friederich Simon; Harlander Robert; Karaca Koray^*

来源：Synthese, 2014, 191(16): 3897-3917.

DOI：10.1007/s11229-014-0504-4

• Ad hoc hypothesis
• Higgs mechanism
• Particle physics
• Spontaneous symmetry braking
• Fine-tuning
• Naturalness

We examine physicists%26apos; 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 %26quot;ad hoc%26quot;, 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%26apos;s Large Hadron Collider for the charge of ad hocness against the Higgs mechanism.

• 出版日期2014-11