As we have seen, Maxwell took the molecular-vortex model quite seriously – with ontological intent – when he first presented it in 1861–2, and although he later lost confidence in certain aspects of the model and removed it to the periphery of his research program, he continued in his allegiance to the core hypothesis of the model – that is, to the hypothesis of molecular vortices. The centrality of the molecular-vortex model in Maxwell's general thinking about electromagnetic theory and the particular importance of this model in the background of the displacement current and the electromagnetic theory of light together provide motivation for a careful study of this intricate mechanical model of the electromagnetic field.

Maxwell's work on the molecular-vortex model was guided, above all, by his desire – his commitment – to fashion a coherent and comprehensive theory unifying the full range of electromagnetic phenomena from the field-primacy point of view. This was required in order to produce a credible alternative to Wilhelm Weber's unification of electromagnetic theory within the charge-interaction framework; comprehensiveness and coherence were required also in connection with the intended realistic status of the theory – Scottish and Cambridge methodologies converged on this requirement.