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Renormalizability, fundamentality and a final theory: The role of UV-completion in the search for quantum gravity

Crowther, Karen and Linnemann, Niels (2017) Renormalizability, fundamentality and a final theory: The role of UV-completion in the search for quantum gravity. The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science.

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Abstract

Principles are central to physical reasoning, particularly in the search for a theory of quantum gravity (QG), where novel empirical data is lacking. One principle widely adopted in the search for QG is UV completion: the idea that a theory should (formally) hold up to all possible high energies. We argue contra standard scientific practice --- that UV-completion is poorly-motivated as a guiding principle in theory-construction, and cannot be used as a criterion of theory-justification in the search for QG. For this, we explore the reasons for expecting, or desiring, a UV-complete theory, as well as analyse how UV completion is used, and how it should be used, in various specific approaches to QG.


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Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Crowther, Karenkaren.crowther@unige.ch000-0003-1558-4814
Linnemann, Nielsnielslinnemann@aol.com0000-0002-3695-8611
Keywords: Spacetime; Renormalization group; Effective field theory; Unification; String theory; Asymptotic safety
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity
General Issues > Structure of Theories
Depositing User: Niels Linnemann
Date Deposited: 16 Jul 2017 18:24
Last Modified: 16 Jul 2017 18:24
Item ID: 13219
Journal or Publication Title: The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity
General Issues > Structure of Theories
Date: 18 May 2017
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/13219

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