Frisch, Muller, and Belot on an Inconsistency in Classical Electrodynamics

Vickers, P

Abstract

This paper follows up a debate as to whether classical electrodynamics is inconsistent. Mathias Frisch makes the claim in Inconsistency, Asymmetry and Non-Locality ([2005]), but this has been quickly countered by F. A. Muller ([2007]) and Gordon Belot ([2007]). Here I argue that both Muller and Belot fail to connect with the background assumptions that support Frisch's claim. Responding to Belot I explicate Frisch's position in more detail, before providing my own criticisms. Correcting Frisch's position, I find that I can present the theory in a way both authors can agree upon. Differences then manifest themselves purely within the reasoning methods employed.

Citation

Vickers, P. (2008). Frisch, Muller, and Belot on an Inconsistency in Classical Electrodynamics. The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, 59(4), 767-792. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjps/axn039

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2008
• Deposit Date: Aug 26, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 12, 2013
• Journal: The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
• Print ISSN: 0007-0882
• Electronic ISSN: 1464-3537
• Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 59
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 767-792
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjps/axn039
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1504702