Håkan Törnebohm

Two studies concerning the Michelson-Morley experiment

In the first of these two studies it is argued that the discrepancy between the predicted and actual outcome of the Michelson-Morley experiment is due to the use of Newtons velocity addition theorem in conjunction with an electromagnetic theory of light. The ether hypothesis is not directly affected at all. The second study is a case study of the removal of a clash in physics generated from the outcome of an experiment. The clash due to the Michelson-Morley experiment gave rise to a program of revision. In the process of implementation of this program Newtonian mechanics was remolded. It is argued that the Riemannian space-time in Einsteins general theory of relativity may be regarded as a successor of the classical ether.

Two Measures of Evidential Strength

Publisher Summary This chapter describes two measures of evidential strength and examines the way these measures are interrelated. One of these measures is the probability, and the other one is based on an absolute and relative measure of the amount of information. The chapter provides an interpretation of this measure and shows the way it can be used to rationalize certain common procedures of confirmation in scientific practice. It also applies both measures to arguments from a random sample to a population to examine the way they are related in a special case. If a sample is obtained from a given population by a random selection, it is possible that the sample belongs to the most common kinds of subsets in the population. On the other hand, if a random sample of size n from a population of size N is given, it is possible that the sample comes from the population such that those subsets that are similar to the sample are the most common kinds of subsets.

Inquiring Systems and Paradigms

In this essay, I will outline a view on science in which the notion of inquiring systems and paradigms plays a key role. Kuhn’s term ‘paradigm’ is here used to refer to a complex of factors which direct and control the work done within a field of research.

Aspects of the Special Theory of Relativity

The special theory of relativity should not be regarded as a theory about clocks and meter sticks. Here are some reasons for being critical against such a view.

Queries about Inquiries

The main task I set myself in this essay is to raise a number of queries about scientific investigations. Deliberations pertaining to some of these questions lead to positions which give rise to new batches of questions.