An Example of a Theory-Frame: Equilibrium Thermodynamics

Abstract

The main and explicit purpose of this paper is to provide a logical reconstruction of the structure of a portion of empirical science, namely, equilibrium thermodynamics (or “thermostatics”), considering it not as a single theory but as a whole cluster of particular theories with ‘family resemblances’. In order to refer to such general structures I propose to use the term “theory-frame”. It is argued that the thermodynamic theory-frame has an identity of its own that should not be confused with the identity of those single theories which are subsumed under it, i.e., a theory-frame is a kind of conceptual entity lying at an intermediate level between single theories and the whole of a scientific discipline. It is plausible to think that we would find structures of a similar level of generality not only in the case of thermodynamics but in other parts of physics as well. I shall briefly argue at the end that this fact might be interesting not only for a synchronic analysis of science, but also for studying certain aspects of scientific evolution.