Deconstruction in a 'Thinking' Science : Theoretical Physicists at Work

Abstract

In this paper we apply the laboratory study approach of the new sociology of scientific practice to a 'thinking science': theoretical physics. To specify the work and accomplishments of theoretical physicists we choose the notion of 'deconstruction'. Deconstruction involves the expansion of a concrete object, such as an equation, into a series of other objects upon which the 'hardness' of a problem can be shifted and distributed. In solving an equation, however, the determinate path of a deconstruction method needs to be supplemented by the exploration of clues and guesses, trials and tricks. We trace a series of devices, and iterations thereof. which physicists mobilize in dealing with hard problems: formal deconstructions, detours and tricks to identify a working deconstruction, variation, 'doing examples', modelling and, finally, thought alliances between subjects.