Koberinski, Adam and Smeenk, Chris (2022) Lambda and the limits of effective field theory. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The cosmological constant problem stems from treating quantum field theory and general relativity as an effective field theory (EFT). We argue that the problem is a \textit{reductio ad absurdum}, and that one should reject the assumption that general relativity can generically be treated as an EFT. This marks a failure of naturalness, and an \textit{internal} signal that EFT methods do not apply in all spacetime domains. We then take an \textit{external} view, showing that the assumptions for using EFTs are violated in general relativistic domains where $\Lambda$ is relevant. We highlight some ways forward that do not depend on naturalness.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Koberinski, Adam atkoberinski@uwaterloo.ca 0000-0001-7605-4214 Smeenk, Chris csmeenk2@uwo.ca 0000-0002-6101-0048
Additional Information:	Forthcoming in Philosophy of Science
Keywords:	Effective field theory; quantum gravity; cosmological constant problem
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Depositing User:	Dr. Adam Koberinski
Date Deposited:	03 Mar 2022 17:48
Last Modified:	03 Mar 2022 17:48
Item ID:	20289
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Date:	2022
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/20289

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• Lambda and the limits of effective field theory. (deposited 03 Mar 2022 17:48) [Currently Displayed]
  • Lambda and the limits of effective field theory. (deposited 12 May 2022 04:04)

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