Abstract

The atomistic paradigm of high energy physics cannot anymore be dismissed because the proposed elementary particles are too many or because it is not possible to observe quarks in an isolated manner. The developments in particle physics have brought about radical changes to our notions of simplicity and observability, and in this paper we elaborate on these changes. It is as a result of these changes that the present situation in elementary particle physics justifies our claim that we have indeed reached a level of explanation where the constituent particles used for the explanation of the various phenomena considered to be delineating a particular level in the descriptive framework of the physical phenomena and a specific stratum in the organization of nature, can be regarded as elementary.