A Penetrating Effect: From Becquerel’s Serendipity to A Scientific Knowledge
Jethromel M. Meneses
Additional contact information
Jethromel M. Meneses: Education Department, University of the Philippines
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2023, vol. 7, issue 5, 1061-1080
Abstract:
This paper comprehensively examines Antoine Henri Becquerel’s discovery of radioactivity in 1896, a groundbreaking scientific advancement often viewed through serendipity. This case study explores the typologies of serendipity and investigates the conditions that foster its occurrence. A detailed study of Becquerel’s investigations reveals that his discovery aligns with a Walpolian type of serendipity, characterized by true serendipity heavily influenced by unforeseen experimental results. This paper emphasizes the role of bisociation, a cognitive process associating previously disconnected concepts, in Becquerel’s discovery, challenging the view that his discovery was merely a chance event. Instead, it argues that Becquerel’s discovery represents an intricate interplay of logic and chance, exemplifying the Walpolian type of serendipity. Moreover, by examining Becquerel’s experimental design, results, and innovative approach, this paper illustrates that his discovery adheres to the fundamental aspects of the scientific method, albeit executed in a non-linear and iterative manner. The process and context of Becquerel’s discovery provide valuable insights into scientific knowledge inception, progression, and definition, underscoring the intertwined roles of serendipity and scientific inquiry in advancing science.
Date: 2023
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:
Downloads: (external link)
https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/ ... ssue-5/1061-1080.pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/ ... cientific-knowledge/ (text/html)
Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.
Export reference: BibTeX
RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan)
HTML/Text
Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:bcp:journl:v:7:y:2023:i:5:p:1061-1080
Access Statistics for this article
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science is currently edited by Dr. Nidhi Malhan
More articles in International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science from International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS)
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Dr. Pawan Verma (ijriss@rsisinternational.org).