Bokulich, Alisa and Bocchi, Federica (2022)Kuhn’s ‘5th Law of Thermodynamics’: Measurement, Data, and Anomalies. [Preprint]
  Preview | Text Bokulich & Bocchi - Kuhn's 5th Law Thermo-preprint.pdf Download (710kB) | Preview |
Abstract
A central component of Thomas Kuhn’s philosophy of measurement is what he calls the fifth law of thermodynamics. According to this “law,” there will always be discrepancies between experimental results and scientists’ prior expectations, whether those expectations arise from theory or from other experimental data. These discrepancies often take the form of what Kuhn calls quantitative anomalies, and they play a central role in both normal and revolutionary science. Whether the effort to resolve these anomalies is taken to be a part of normal or revolutionary science depends in part on the ever-evolving and context-dependent standards of what Kuhn calls reasonable agreement. In The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Kuhn identifies as one of the most important types of experiments those aimed at determining the values of the fundamental physical constants. Why would he emphasize this seemingly obscure class of experiments? The answer, we argue, requires paying closer attention to, first, the historical context of a prominent research program in the Physics Department at Berkeley when Kuhn arrived in the 1950s, and second, Kuhn’s broader philosophy of measurement and data. As we show, the fifth law of thermodynamics and the failure of reasonable agreement played a fundamental role in both. In Section 2, we reconstruct Kuhn's philosophy of measurement and philosophy of data, as laid out primarily in his 1961 paper "The Function of Measurement in Modern Physical Science," where he introduces this fifth law. We discuss the important role of quantitative anomalies in Kuhn’s philosophy, noting his emphasis on the iterative process of improving reasonable agreement. Section 3 turns to the historical context at Berkeley and the research program initiated by the long-time physics chair, Raymond T. Birge, who first called attention to the widespread discrepancies and inconsistencies in the experimental data on fundamental constants. We illustrate the quantitative anomalies uncovered in this research on constants, using the example of the speed of light (c), for which there were many different (and inconsistent!) experimentally determined values measured during the Birge-Kuhn era. We follow this important research program forward in time in Section 4, highlighting Kuhnian elements taken up by the metrology institution subsequently charged with periodically adjusting the values of the fundamental constants, known as Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA). In particular, we identify three striking points of similarity: First, like Kuhn, these metrologists emphasize the iterative and ever-changing standards of reasonable agreement, prioritizing the identification of quantitative anomalies. Second, the metrology community also expresses a fundamental skepticism about scientists’ ability to ever know the “true value” of a fundamental constant. Third, in the absence of any access to the true values of the constants, these metrologists emphasize the values of consistency and coherence as the only arbiters in deciding what numerical value to adopt. We connect these points to the ongoing effort to determine the value of the gravitational constant (G), which is the fundamental constant that Kuhn emphasizes as being particularly problematic in the Structure. In Section 5, we discuss Kuhn’s later reflections on the formative role that his earlier work on the philosophy of measurement and data had for the development of his views in the Structure. By paying closer attention to Kuhn’s work on the philosophy of measurement we are also able to recover a key notion of scientific progress in Kuhn’s thinking that goes beyond the increase in puzzle-solving ability later identified in the Postscript to the Structure. We conclude by reflecting on the continuing relevance of Kuhn’s views for the philosophy of metrology and philosophy of data today.
| Export/Citation: | EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL |
| Social Networking: |
| Item Type: | Preprint | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creators: |
| |||||||||
| Additional Information: | Forthcoming in Kuhn’s The Structure of Scientific Revolutions at 60, ed. by K. Brad Wray. Cambridge University Press | |||||||||
| Keywords: | Data, physical constants, metrology, measurement, experiment, bandwagon effect, Kuhn, Birge, anomalies, discordance, speed of light, gravitational constant | |||||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Data General Issues > Experimentation Specific Sciences > Physics | |||||||||
| Depositing User: | Alisa Bokulich | |||||||||
| Date Deposited: | 25 Nov 2022 01:44 | |||||||||
| Last Modified: | 25 Nov 2022 01:44 | |||||||||
| Item ID: | 21467 | |||||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Data General Issues > Experimentation Specific Sciences > Physics | |||||||||
| Date: | 2022 | |||||||||
| URI: | http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/21467 |
Monthly Views for the past 3 years
Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years
Plum Analytics
Actions (login required)
 | View Item |
In the realm of Thomas Kuhn's philosophy of measurement and data, the concept of the "fifth law of thermodynamics" emerges as a crucial tenet. This principle posits that discrepancies between experimental results and scientists' prior expectations are inevitable, irrespective of whether these expectations stem from established theory or other experimental data. These disparities, often termed quantitative anomalies by Kuhn, hold significant sway in both normal and revolutionary scientific endeavors.
Kuhn accentuates the role of quantitative anomalies in his philosophy, emphasizing the iterative process of refining reasonable agreement. This concept is deeply intertwined with historical contexts, such as the prominent research program at Berkeley in the 1950s, particularly the Physics Department chaired by Raymond T. Birge. Birge's research program uncovered widespread discrepancies and inconsistencies in experimental data concerning fundamental physical constants, exemplified by the varied and inconsistent measurements of the speed of light (c) during that era.
The implications of these anomalies were further explored in subsequent years by institutions like the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA), tasked with periodically adjusting fundamental constants. Similar to Kuhn's perspective, these metrologists prioritize identifying quantitative anomalies, express skepticism about establishing the "true value" of constants, and underscore the importance of consistency and coherence in determining numerical values.
The ongoing pursuit to determine the value of the gravitational constant (G), a problematic constant highlighted by Kuhn in his work, remains a focal point for these discussions. Furthermore, Kuhn's later reflections indicate the formative role of his earlier work on the philosophy of measurement and data in shaping his views on scientific progress, extending beyond mere puzzle-solving abilities.
Overall, the continuing relevance of Kuhn's views in the realms of philosophy of metrology and philosophy of data persists, highlighting the intricate interplay between experimental data, anomalies, and the ever-evolving standards of reasonable agreement in scientific pursuits.
The article delves into various interconnected concepts: data, physical constants, metrology, measurement, experiments, anomalies, discordance, speed of light, gravitational constant, and Kuhn's perspectives on scientific progress. These elements collectively elucidate Kuhn's intricate philosophy of measurement and data within the scientific paradigm, emphasizing the pivotal role of anomalies and the evolving nature of reasonable agreement in shaping scientific understanding.
