Comparing Eugene P . Wigner , Raymond Duval and Richard

Inspired by some basic formal aspects of standard model of fundamental physics, in this paper, putting into comparison the Eugene Wigner’s theoretical definition of elementary particle with some aspects of the semiotic theory according to Raymond Duval, it will be possible to lay out the former into the latter theory which will get a further epistemological foundation also on the basis of the experimental validations of the standard model itself. Moreover, a final comparison with some epistemological considerations due to Richard Feynman will be also explained in the light of the previous ones. Finally, where possible, the discussion will be also compared with the general ontological perspective. Sunto. Sulla base di alcuni precipui aspetti formali del modello standard della fisica delle interazioni fondamentali, mettendo, in particolare, a confronto la definizione formale di particella elementare secondo Eugene Wigner con alcuni aspetti della teoria semiotica di Raymond Duval, sarà possibile collocare la prima definizione nella seconda teoria che riceverà ulteriore fondamento epistemologico pure sulla scorta delle validazioni sperimentali dello stesso modello standard. Inoltre, un confronto finale con alcune considerazioni epistemologiche dovute a Richard Feynman sarà pure condotto alla luce di quanto precedentemente stabilito. Infine, laddove possibile, la discussione sarà pure vagliata dal generale punto di vista ontologico. 1. A preliminary philosophy of mathematics contextualization It well-known what basic and primary role has played the formal description of that entity called elementary particle in fundamental physics above all d’après the pioneering 1930s work of Eugene Paul Wigner (1902-1995). In the period in which he wrote this paper, an epistemological revolution was beginning in physics. Namely, the group theoretical methods started to pervade most of theoretical physics, event which was designed with the (in a certain sense pejorative) appellative of gruppenpest by E. Schrödinger, W. Pauli and J.C. Slater (see Wybourne (1973)). Indeed, in that period, on the wake of special relativity and its formulation, group theory bit by bit revealed to be of extreme utility from a mathematical viewpoint both in explaining and foresighting many aspects of theoretical physics. The group theory textbooks of Hermann Weyl (see (Weyl 1928)) and Eugene P. Wigner (see 1 (Wigner 1931)), with their remarkable insights, were rightly celebrated and still unsurpassed models. Thereafter, the group theory was a vital part of theoretical and mathematical framework of physics (and not only) until nowadays. In particular, the group representation theory showed its highest theoretical power, and the 1939 Wigner paper is only one of the main historical cases of this event. This Wigner work has marked a milestone in theoretical physics of elementary particle theory, with great theoretical and experimental consequences for the whole framework of physics until recent time. Likewise, such a work has also notable contributed to give a great impulse towards the epistemological reflection on the foundations of physics if one take into consideration the principles of ontology. The modern philosophy of knowledge (or gnoseology) has put attention on the methodologies of knowledge, or else on the procedures, tools and methods used to achieve it. In this regards, one of the main knowledge’s approach is given by the analysis of the various and 1 Although the Wigner’s book has been published in 1931, its content is the material of lecture notes of various courses held by Wigner since 1925. Thereafter, both Weyl (1928) and Wigner (1931) textbooks were enlarged and revised above all in their American translations. ha l-0 08 46 18 4, v er si on 1 18 J ul 2 01 3