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Group Structural Realism

Roberts, Bryan W. (2009) Group Structural Realism. [Preprint]

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Abstract

We present a precise form of structural realism, called 'group structural realism,' which identifies 'structure' in quantum theory with symmetry groups. However, working out the details of this view actually illuminates a major problem for structural realism; namely, a structure can itself have structure. This paper argues that, once a precise characterization of structure is given, the 'metaphysical hierarchy' on which group structural realism rests is seen to be overly extravagant and ultimately unmotivated.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Roberts, Bryan W.
Additional Information: Forthcoming in British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
Keywords: structural realism, group theory, quantum mechanics, realism
Subjects: General Issues > Theory Change
Specific Sciences > Physics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User: Dr. Bryan W. Roberts
Date Deposited: 27 Jun 2009
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2010 20:22
Item ID: 4733
Subjects: General Issues > Theory Change
Specific Sciences > Physics
General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date: June 2009
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/4733

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