PhilSci Archive

The Interpretation of String Dualities

Rickles, Dean (2010) The Interpretation of String Dualities. [Preprint]

[img]
Preview
PDF
duality.pdf

Download (2MB)

Abstract

Many of the advances in string theory have been generated by the discovery of new duality symmetries connecting what were once thought to be distinct theories, solu- tions, processes, backgrounds, and more. Indeed, duality has played an enormously important role in the creation and development of numerous theories in physics and numerous fields of mathematics. Dualities often lie at those fruitful intersections at which mathematics and physics are especially strongly intertwined. In this paper I describe some of these dualities and unpack some of their philosophical conse- quences, focusing primarily on string-theoretic dualities. I argue that dualities fall uncomfortably between symmetries and gauge redundancies, but that they differ in that they point to genuinely new deeper structures.


Export/Citation: EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL
Social Networking:
Share |

Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Rickles, Dean
Keywords: Duality, String theory, Mirror symmetry, M-Theory, Underdetermination
Subjects: General Issues > Models and Idealization
Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Depositing User: Dr Dean Rickles
Date Deposited: 03 Jan 2010
Last Modified: 07 Oct 2010 15:19
Item ID: 5079
Subjects: General Issues > Models and Idealization
Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
Date: January 2010
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/5079

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item