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Series:   Elements in the Philosophy of Physics

Philosophy of Particle Physics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 July 2023

Porter Williams
Porter Williams
Affiliation:
University of Southern California

Summary

This Element offers an introduction to selected philosophical issues that arise in contemporary particle physics, aimed at philosophers who have limited prior exposure to quantum field theory. One the one hand, it critically surveys philosophical work on the representation of particles in quantum field theory, the formal machinery and conceptual implications of renormalization and renormalization group methods, and ontological and methodological questions raised by the use of effective field theory techniques in particle physics. On the other, it identifies topics in particle physics that have not yet received philosophical attention and sketches avenues for philosophical analysis of those topics. The primary aim of the Element is to provide philosophers of physics with an entry point into the literature on the philosophy of particle physics and identify interesting directions for future research for students and researchers alike.
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Keywords

quantum field theoryparticle physicsscientific realismrenormalizationeffective field theory

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Type
Element
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Series: Elements in the Philosophy of Physics
Online ISBN: 9781009205382
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication: 24 August 2023

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Philosophy of Particle Physics
  • Porter Williams, University of Southern California
  • Online ISBN: 9781009205382
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Philosophy of Particle Physics
  • Porter Williams, University of Southern California
  • Online ISBN: 9781009205382
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Philosophy of Particle Physics
  • Porter Williams, University of Southern California
  • Online ISBN: 9781009205382
Available formats
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