The Michelson-Morley experiment within the transition from classical to relativistic physics: Philosophical and historiographical approaches

• Grant number: 12/18912-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: January 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Philosophy - Epistemology
• Principal Investigator: Valter Alnis Bezerra
• Grantee: Taimara Passero
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Ministério da Educação (Brasil). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 11/51614-3 - Origins and significance of technoscience: on relations among science, technology and society, AP.TEM

Abstract

Abraham Michelson in 1881 devised one of the most ingenious experiments of his time in seeking to determine the dynamic state of the ether. However, the results obtained weren't in agreement with current theory at that time. Therefore, a new, more accurate, version of this experiment was performed in 1887, with the contribution of Edward Morley, but the results were again negative. The Michelson-Morley experiment is often associated hastily with Einstein's special relativity theory. We intend to conduct a philosophical reading of the episode surrounding this experiment, supported by historical research, in order to understand the proper place of this experiment in the panorama of Physics at that time, in the period that extends until the formulation of the theory of relativity. This will also allow us to get a more consistent and faithful picture of scientific development. Therefore, the different philosophical perspectives will be analyzed comparatively, be it in their intrinsic virtues and shortcomings, or either in their ability to interpret the episode, giving rise to a reading or reconstruction which gives it meaning, coherence and context.