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The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 2008 59(4):767-792; doi:10.1093/bjps/axn039
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© The Author (2008). Published by Oxford University Press. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

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

Peter Vickers

Division of History and Philosophy of Science, Department of Philosophy, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK

phl4pv{at}leeds.ac.uk


  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.

  1. Introduction
  2. Features of the Theory
  3. Frisch's Inconsistency Claim
  4. Defending Frisch
    4.1 Muller
    4.2 Belot

  5. Difficulties for Frisch and a Compromise
  6. Conclusion


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