Date of Award
2008
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Submission Date
October 2026
Recommended Citation
Gopman, Daniel B., "Transcendental minds and mythical strings: the emergence of platonism in modern physics." (2008). Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2003 - 2009. 114.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_honors_1/114
Extent
73 p.
Identifier
165336
COinS
Comments
String theory has captivated the theoretical physics community for nearly twenty five years. Despite the optimism that string theory will lead physicists to a deeper understanding of the universe, no unique theory has emerged from a long series of conjectures and loosely related facts. While the Large Hadron Collider is set to start running experiments this year in Geneva, it is doubtful that its observations will be able to confirm or reject string theory either. String theory has emerged in a rare period in the history of physics, during which experimental thresholds have been met and theory seems to break down above that threshold. I argue that an emphasis on mathematical symmetry and harmony in string theory physics is part of a Platonic metaphysics tradition that emerged in previous epochs in the history of physics when experiment or theory has failed. However, in contrast to other periods when Platonic metaphysical ideas have been helpful to resolve dilemmas in physics, string theorists have allowed themselves to become estranged from experiment as well as other viable theoretical research programs in contemporary physics.