DECONSTRUCTION IN A THINKING SCIENCE - THEORETICAL PHYSICISTS AT WORK

In this paper we apply the laboratory study approach of the new sociol ogy of scientific practice to a 'thinking science': theoretical physic s. To specify the work and accomplishments of theoretical physicists w e choose the notion of 'deconstruction'. Deconstruction involves the e xpansion of a concrete object, such as an equation, into a series of o ther 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 o f 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 wo rking deconstruction, variation, 'doing examples'', modelling and, fin ally, thought alliances between subjects.