Abstract
Symmetries play an important role in the history of science and art.3 In the development of modern physics the use of symmetry arguments changed radically in the beginning of the 20th century. To a considerable extent the new rise of symmetry in theoretical physics is due to A. Einstein, H. Weyl, and E. Wigner.4
I had the privilege to discuss these topics with Professor Azaria Polikarov, who stayed at the University of Heidelberg as a visiting professor when I worked there on my “Habilitationsschrift” (Stoeckler 1987). In many tea hours he provided cake, valuable hints and encouraging criticisms. It is my pleasure to dedicate this paper to the 75th anniversary of my fatherly friend.
See Weyl (1952).
Cf. Radicati (1979), p. 524.
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Stoeckler, M. (1997). Symmetries and Explanations: The Lessons of Elementary Particle Physics. In: Ginev, D., Cohen, R.S. (eds) Issues and Images in the Philosophy of Science. Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science, vol 192. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-5788-9_20
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