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Laws, Symmetry, and Symmetry Breaking; Invariance, Conservation Principles, and Objectivity

Earman, John (2002) Laws, Symmetry, and Symmetry Breaking; Invariance, Conservation Principles, and Objectivity. [Preprint]

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    Abstract

    Given its importance in modern physics, philosophers of science have paid surprisingly little attention to the subject of symmetries and invariances, and they have largely neglected the subtopic of symmetry breaking. I illustrate how the topic of laws and symmetries brings into fruitful interaction technical issues in physics and mathematics with both methodological issues in philosophy of science, such as the status of laws of physics, and metaphysical issues, such as the nature of objectivity.

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    Item Type: Preprint
    Keywords: symmetry, invariance, symmetry breaking, gauge symmetry, Noether' theorems, laws of nature
    Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
    Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory
    Conferences and Volumes: [2002] Philosophy of Science Assoc. 18th Biennial Mtg - PSA 2002: Contributed Papers (Milwaukee, WI; 2002) > PSA 2002 Symposia
    Depositing User: John Earman
    Date Deposited: 11 Nov 2002
    Last Modified: 07 Oct 2010 11:11
    Item ID: 878
    URI: http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/878

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