Fraser, Doreen Lynn (Author)
University of Pittsburgh
Earman, John
Edition Details: Advisor: Earman, John
Physical Details: 195 pp.
Language: English
Quantum field theory (QFT) is the physical framework that integrates quantum mechanics and the special theory of relativity; it is the basis of many of our best physical theories. QFT's for interacting systems have yielded extraordinarily accurate predictions. Yet, in spite of unquestionable empirical success, the treatment of interactions in QFT raises serious issues for the foundations and interpretation of the theory. This dissertation takes Haag's theorem as a starting point for investigating these issues. It begins with a detailed exposition and analysis of different versions of Haag's theorem. The theorem is cast as a reductio ad absurdum of canonical QFT prior to renormalization. It is possible to adopt different strategies in response to this reductio : (1) renormalizing the canonical framework; (2) introducing a volume (i.e., long-distance) cutoff into the canonical framework; or (3) abandoning another assumption common to the canonical framework and Haag's theorem, which is the approach adopted by axiomatic and constructive field theorists. Haag's theorem does not entail that it is impossible to formulate a mathematically well-defined Hilbert space model for an interacting system on infinite, continuous space. Furthermore, Haag's theorem does not undermine the predictions of renormalized canonical QFT; canonical QFT with cutoffs and existing mathematically rigorous models for interactions are empirically equivalent to renormalized canonical QFT. The final two chapters explore the consequences of Haag's theorem for the interpretation of QFT with interactions. I argue that no mathematically rigorous model of QFT on infinite, continuous space admits an interpretation in terms of quanta (i.e., quantum particles). Furthermore, I contend that extant mathematically rigorous models for physically unrealistic interactions serve as a better guide to the ontology of QFT than either of the other two formulations of QFT. Consequently, according to QFT, quanta do not belong in our ontology of fundamental entities.
...MoreDescription Cited in Diss. Abstr. Int. A 67/08 (2007). UMI pub. no. 3232766.
Similar Citations
Article
Regt, Henk W. de;
(2014)
Visualization as a Tool for Understanding
(/isis/citation/CBB001421046/)
Article
Rédei, Miklós;
(2010)
Einstein's Dissatisfaction with Nonrelativistic Quantum Mechanics and Relativistic Quantum Field Theory
(/isis/citation/CBB001230088/)
Article
Blum, Alexander;
(2014)
From the Necessary to the Possible: The Genesis of the Spin-Statistics Theorem
(/isis/citation/CBB001421691/)
Article
Jentschura, U. D.;
Nándori, I.;
(2014)
Attempts at a Determination of the Fine-Structure Constant from First Principles: A Brief Historical Overview
(/isis/citation/CBB001421684/)
Article
Huggett, N.;
(2000)
Philosophical foundations of quantum field theory
(/isis/citation/CBB000111852/)
Article
Dieks, Dennis;
(2001)
Spacetime, Fields and Understanding: Perspectives on Quantum Field Theory
(/isis/citation/CBB000100725/)
Article
Belot, Gordon;
(2003)
Symmetry and Gauge Freedom
(/isis/citation/CBB000340844/)
Article
Clifton, Rob;
Halvorson, Hans;
(2001)
Entanglement and Open Systems in Algebraic Quantum Field Theory
(/isis/citation/CBB000100719/)
Book
Tian, Yu Cao;
(1999)
Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Field Theory
(/isis/citation/CBB000471631/)
Article
Smeenk, Christopher;
Myrvold, W. C.;
(2011)
Introduction: Philosophy of Quantum Field Theory
(/isis/citation/CBB001024245/)
Book
Lange, Marc;
(2002)
An Introduction to the Philosophy of Physics: Locality, Fields, Energy, and Mass
(/isis/citation/CBB000201447/)
Chapter
Leonardo Gariboldi;
(2016)
The neutron before the neutron: Pontremoli’s compound models
(/isis/citation/CBB564307012/)
Book
Pietro Greco;
(2020)
Quanti. La straordinaria storia della meccanica quantistica
(/isis/citation/CBB247197978/)
Book
Federico Laudisa;
(2023)
Dalla fisica alla filosofia naturale : Niels Bohr e la cultura scientifica del Novecento
(/isis/citation/CBB968309483/)
Article
Morrison, Margaret;
(2007)
Spin: All Is Not What It Seems
(/isis/citation/CBB000701045/)
Article
Taylor, Philip L.;
Fickinger, William J.;
(2007)
Multiple Scattering: Leslie Foldy's Winding Road through Physics
(/isis/citation/CBB000850199/)
Chapter
Valia Allori;
(2009)
La storia del gatto che era sia morto che vivo
(/isis/citation/CBB919785743/)
Chapter
Antonino Drago;
(2017)
A program of research for discovering an alternative formulation of quantum mechanics
(/isis/citation/CBB592719607/)
Book
Lindley, David;
(2007)
Uncertainty: Einstein, Heisenberg, Bohr, and the Struggle for the Soul of Science
(/isis/citation/CBB000774697/)
Article
French, Steven;
(2008)
Genuine Possibilities in the Scientific Past and How to Spot Them
(/isis/citation/CBB000850418/)
European Physical Journal H
British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
Isis: International Review Devoted to the History of Science and Its Cultural Influences
Perspectives on Science
Philosophy of Science
Be the first to comment!