Crowther, Karen (2015) Decoupling emergence and reduction in physics. [Preprint]
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Abstract
An effective theory in physics is one that is supposed to apply only at a given length (or energy) scale; the framework of effective field theory (EFT) describes a `tower' of theories each applying at different length scales, where each `level' up is a shorter-scale theory. Owing to subtlety regarding the use and necessity of EFTs, a conception of emergence defined in terms of reduction is irrelevant. I present a case for decoupling emergence and reduction in the philosophy of physics. This paper develops a positive conception of emergence, based on the novelty and autonomy of the `levels', by considering physical examples, involving critical phenomena, the renormalisation group, and symmetry breaking. This positive conception of emergence is related to underdetermination and universality, but, I argue, is preferable to other accounts of emergence in physics that rely on universality.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | ||||||
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| Additional Information: | Forthcoming in European Journal for Philosophy of Science | ||||||
| Keywords: | Emergence; Reduction; Effective Field Theory; Quantum Field Theory; Critical Phenomena; Renormalization; Universality; Symmetry Breaking | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Condensed Matter Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory |
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| Depositing User: | Dr. Karen Crowther | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 28 May 2015 13:24 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 28 May 2015 13:24 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 11484 | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Condensed Matter Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory |
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| Date: | 6 May 2015 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/11484 |
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