Oxford Centre for the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology
HAPP One-Day Conference: The Role of Error in Physics
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Error is often framed as a limitation in physics, yet it plays a central role in how physical knowledge is produced, validated and refined. This conference will explore the dual nature of error: as both a practical challenge in measurement and experimentation, and as a productive force in the development of theory. It will discuss the establishment of the theory of error and consider examples of famous errors in physics across the centuries. The conference will conclude with a philosophical perspective on the role of error.