Are gauge symmetry transformations observable?
Brading, Katherine and Brown, Harvey R. (2003) Are gauge symmetry transformations observable?.
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Abstract
In a recent paper in the British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, Kosso discussed the observational status of continuous symmetries of physics. While we are in broad agreement with his approach, we disagree with his analysis. In the discussion of the status of gauge symmetry, a set of examples offered by ’t Hooft has influenced several philosophers, including Kosso; in all cases the interpretation of the examples is mistaken. In this paper we present our preferred approach to the empirical significance of symmetries, re-analysing the cases of gauge symmetry and general covariance.
| Keywords: | symmetry gauge general covariance General Theory of Relativity |
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| Subjects: | Specific Sciences: Physics: Relativity Theory Specific Sciences: Physics: Fields and Particles Specific Sciences: Physics: Quantum Mechanics |
| ID Code: | 1436 |
| Deposited By: | Brading, Katherine A. |
| Deposited On: | 08 October 2003 |
| Additional Information: | To appear in the British Journal for the Philosophy of Science. |