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The substantial role of Weyl symmetry in deriving general relativity from string theory

Dougherty, John (2020) The substantial role of Weyl symmetry in deriving general relativity from string theory. In: UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

String theory reduces to general relativity in appropriate regimes. Huggett and Vistarini have given an account of this reduction that includes a deflationary thesis about symmetry: though the usual derivation of general relativity from string theory appeals to a premise about the theory’s symmetry, Huggett and Vistarini argue that this premise plays no logical role. In this paper I disagree with their deflationary thesis and argue that their analysis is based on a popular but flawed conception of the interaction between symmetry and quantization. On this conception, quantization can break symmetries of the classical theory, and we must decide whether these symmetries should be reimposed. I argue that a better conception recognizes a tripartite distinction between ordinary, broken, and anomalous symmetries.


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Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED)
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Dougherty, Johnjohn.e.dougherty.ii@gmail.com0000-0002-4332-684X
Keywords: quantum, gravity, string theory, general relativity, emergence, quantum gravity, symmetry, conformal symmetry, spacetime, quantum field theory, QFT, anomalies
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Depositing User: John Dougherty
Date Deposited: 08 Nov 2020 15:18
Last Modified: 08 Nov 2020 15:18
Item ID: 18369
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Date: 8 November 2020
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/18369

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