| Preface |
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1 | (25) |
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1.1 Methodology: framing scientific knowledge |
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1 | (4) |
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1.2 An overview of Maxwell's approach to methodology |
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5 | (4) |
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1.3 Maxwell's initial publication of 1856 (an abstract)---placing methodology at the forefront |
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9 | (3) |
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1.4 Methodology as an essential feature of scientific practice: the case of Maxwell |
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12 | (2) |
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14 | (12) |
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2 Maxwell's choice: Faraday vs. Ampere |
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26 | (22) |
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2.1 Michael Faraday (1791--1867) and James Clerk Maxwell: a unique relation |
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26 | (15) |
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2.2 Andre-Marie Ampere (1775--1836): the contrast |
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41 | (7) |
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3 Thomson, Stokes, Rankine, and Thomson and Tait |
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48 | (25) |
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3.1 Introduction: methodology in electromagnetism |
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48 | (1) |
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3.2 William Thomson (1824--1907): from analogy to representation |
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48 | (9) |
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3.3 George Stokes (1819--1903): idealization |
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57 | (5) |
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3.4 William J. M. Rankine (1820--1872): energy---a novel unifying concept |
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62 | (3) |
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3.5 W. Thomson and Peter Tait (1831--1901): abstract dynamics |
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65 | (5) |
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70 | (3) |
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4 Station 1 (1856--1858): on Faraday's lines of force |
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73 | (25) |
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4.1 A novel methodology: modifying the methodology of analogy |
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73 | (7) |
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4.2 The structure of Maxwell's argument |
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80 | (5) |
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4.3 From the general to the specific |
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85 | (2) |
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4.4 Confronting Ampere's theory |
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87 | (1) |
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88 | (5) |
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4.6 Appendix: a bibliographical note on Maxwell 1858 |
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93 | (5) |
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5 Station 2 (1861--1862): on physical lines of force |
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98 | (29) |
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98 | (1) |
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5.2 Preliminary: from instrumentalism to causality |
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98 | (2) |
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5.3 The methodology: linking hypothesis to representation |
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100 | (8) |
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5.4 Applying the methodology: assumptions and their consequences |
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108 | (2) |
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5.5 Part III: a landmark in the history of physics |
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110 | (11) |
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121 | (6) |
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6 Station 3 (1865): A dynamical theory of the electromagnetic field |
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127 | (28) |
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127 | (1) |
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6.2 Part I: marking the goal - the construction of a formal theory consisting of a set of general equations |
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128 | (2) |
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6.3 Part II: the flywheel analogy |
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130 | (6) |
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6.3.1 How does the analogy work? |
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130 | (4) |
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6.3.2 Illustration vs. analogy |
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134 | (2) |
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6.4 The methodology of reversing the argument |
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136 | (6) |
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142 | (2) |
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6.6 A physical theory in symbolic language |
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144 | (6) |
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6.6.1 An example---the case of electric elasticity |
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148 | (2) |
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150 | (5) |
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7 Station 4 (1873): A treatise on electricity and magnetism |
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155 | (54) |
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155 | (2) |
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157 | (1) |
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158 | (27) |
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7.3.1 Energy as a key concept in electrodynamics |
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159 | (6) |
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7.3.2 Mathematical tools in the treatment of electrodynamics |
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165 | (5) |
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7.3.3 Dimensionality of units |
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170 | (5) |
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7.3.4 Analogies, illustrations, and working models as mechanical representations |
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175 | (8) |
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183 | (2) |
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7.4 The impact of the new methodologies on the construction of the theory |
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185 | (14) |
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7.4.1 The electric displacement and the displacement current |
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185 | (5) |
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7.4.2 General equations of the electromagnetic field |
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190 | (5) |
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7.4.3 From mathematics to physics: vortices and mechanism |
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195 | (4) |
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199 | (10) |
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8 Philosophical reflections on Maxwell's methodological odyssey |
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209 | (37) |
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209 | (1) |
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8.2 Modifications of methodologies |
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209 | (9) |
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210 | (1) |
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8.2.2 Station 2: hypothesis |
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211 | (2) |
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8.2.3 Station 3: textual description |
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213 | (2) |
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8.2.4 Station 4: abstract dynamics |
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215 | (2) |
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8.2.5 Transitions from one methodology to the next |
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217 | (1) |
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8.3 Methodologies in Maxwell's practice |
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218 | (19) |
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8.3.1 The role of mathematics |
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219 | (1) |
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8.3.2 Reciprocity of formulation: translation |
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220 | (3) |
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223 | (4) |
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227 | (2) |
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8.3.5 Hypothesis: the micro-level and explanatory claims |
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229 | (4) |
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233 | (4) |
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237 | (9) |
| References |
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246 | (12) |
| Index |
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258 | |
