What demonstrative induction can do against the threat of underdetermination

Bohr, Heisenberg, and Pauli on spectroscopic anomalies (1921–24)

Michela Massimi

pp. 243-277

in: Synthese 140 (3), 2004.

Abstract

In this paper I argue that demonstrative induction can deal with the problem ofthe underdetermination of theory by evidence. I present the historical case studyof spectroscopy in the early 1920s, where the choice among different theorieswas apparently underdetermined by spectroscopic evidence concerning the alkalidoublets and their anomalous Zeeman effect. By casting this historical episodewithin the methodological framework of demonstrative induction, the localunderdetermination among Bohr's, Heisenberg's, and Pauli's rival theories isresolved in favour of Pauli's theory of the electron's spin.

Cited authors

Heisenberg Werner

Bohr Niels

Pauli Wolfgang