Unitary inequivalence as a problem for structural realism |
| |
| Authors: | Steven French |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Philosophy, University of Haifa, Haifa 31905, Israel;2. Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 2604 Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA;1. Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom;2. Johnson Matthey, P.O. Box 1, Belasis Avenue, Billingham, Cleveland TS23 1LB, United Kingdom;1. Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138667, Singapore;2. Department of Cell Biology and Center for Cell Dynamics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | The existence of unitarily inequivalent representations in quantum field theory has been presented as a serious problem for structural realism. In this paper I explore two possible responses. The first involves adopting Wallace's ‘naïve Lagrangian’ interpretation of QFT and dismissing the generation of inequivalent representations as either a mathematical artefact or as non-pathological. The second takes up Ruetsche's ‘Swiss Army Knife’ approach and understands the relevant structure as spanning a range of possibilities. Both options present interesting implications for structural realism and I shall also consider related issues to do with underdetermination, the significance of spontaneous symmetry breaking and how we should understand superselection rules in the context of quantum statistics. Finally, I shall suggest a way in which these options might be combined. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录！ |
|
