Bridgman - Percy Williams Bridgman

American physicist. Known for his work in the fields of high-pressure physics and philosophy of science. Son of a Massachusetts writer, he graduated from Harvard University, where he went on to obtain a doctorate, and after working as a research student in physics he began teaching, becoming a professor of mathematics and science in 1926. He began high-pressure experiments around 1908, developing a gauge that measured pressure using the electrical resistance of mercury, and succeeded in putting into practical use the autofrettage method (a method in which the high pressure being generated itself tightens the packing) of high-pressure generation, as well as in developing a gauge that measures strain (and therefore pressure) using the resistance of manganin. He subsequently led high-pressure research, and for this achievement he received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1946.

On the other hand, he fundamentally reconsidered the problem of the dimensions of physical quantities, as well as the problems of concepts and logic in physics, and presented the view that a concept is synonymous with a series of operations corresponding to it, which made a stir in the philosophy of science. However, he himself did not like this view being made into a dogma under the name of operationalism.

[Seiji Takada]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

アメリカの物理学者。高圧物理のほか科学哲学の分野の業績で知られている。マサチューセッツの著述家の子で、ハーバード大学を卒業、引き続いて同大学で学位を取得、物理の研究生を経て教職につき、1926年に数学と理学の教授に就任した。1908年ごろから高圧の実験に着手し、水銀の電気抵抗で圧力を測るゲージの開発を始め、自緊方式（発生させようとする高圧それ自体がパッキングを締め付ける方式）の高圧発生方法の実用化や、マンガニンの抵抗でひずみ（ひいては圧力）を測るゲージの汎用(はんよう)化に成功、以後、高圧研究をリードし、その功により1946年ノーベル物理学賞を受けた。

　一方、物理量の次元の問題から物理学上の概念や論理の問題まで根本的に再考察し、ある概念はそれに対応する一連の操作と同義だとする見解を述べ、科学哲学に一石を投じた。ただし、この見解が操作主義の名で教条化されることを、彼自身は好まなかった。

［高田誠二］

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