Intriguing legacy of Einstein, Fermi, Jordan, and others: The possible invalidation of quark conjectures

The objective of this paper is to present an outline of a number of criticisms of the quark models of hadron structure which have been present in the community of basic research for some time. The hope is that quark supporters will consider these criticisms and present possible counterarguments for a scientifically effective resolution of the issues. In particular, it is submitted that the problem of whether quarks exist as physical particles necessarily calls for the prior theoretical and experimental resolution of the question of the validity or invalidity, for hadronic structure, of the relativity and quantum mechanical laws established for atomic structure. The current theoretical studies leading to the conclusion that they are invalid are considered, together with the experimental situation. We also recall the doubts by Einstein, Fermi, Jordan, and others on the final character of contemporary physical knowledge. Most of all, this paper is an appeal to young minds of all ages. The possible invalidity for the strong interactions of the physical laws of the electromagnetic interactions, rather than constituting a scientific drawback, represents instead an invaluable impetus toward the search for covering laws specifically conceived for hadronic structure and strong interactions in general, a program which has already been initiated by a number of researchers. In turn, this situation appears to have all the ingredients for a new scientific renaissance, perhaps comparable to that of the early part of this century