Crowther, Karen (2018) Defining a crisis: The roles of principles in the search for a theory of quantum gravity. [Preprint]

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Abstract

In times of crisis, when current theories are revealed as inadequate to task, and new physics is thought to be required---physics turns to re-evaluate its principles, and to seek new ones. This paper explores the various types, and roles of principles that feature in the problem of quantum gravity as a current crisis in physics. I illustrate the diversity of the principles being appealed to, and show that principles serve in a variety of roles in all stages of the crisis, including in motivating the need for a new theory, and defining what this theory should be like. In particular, I consider: the generalised correspondence principle, UV-completion, background independence, and the holographic principle. I also explore how the current crisis fits with Friedman's view on the roles of principles in revolutionary theory-change, finding that while many key aspects of this view are not represented in quantum gravity (at the current stage), the view could potentially offer a useful diagnostic, and prescriptive strategy. This paper is intended to be relatively non-technical, and to bring some of the philosophical issues from the search for quantum gravity to a more general philosophical audience interested in the roles of principles in scientific theory-change.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Crowther, Karen kcro8477@gmail.com 0000-0003-1558-4814
Additional Information:	To appear in Synthese Special Issue on First Principles in Science
Keywords:	Constitutive principles; Scientific revolution; Theory change; Friedman; Holographic principle; Spacetime; Quantum gravity; String theory
Subjects:	General Issues > History of Science Case Studies Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity General Issues > Structure of Theories General Issues > Theory Change
Depositing User:	Dr. Karen Crowther
Date Deposited:	25 Sep 2018 15:19
Last Modified:	25 Sep 2018 15:19
Item ID:	15053
Subjects:	General Issues > History of Science Case Studies Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Gravity General Issues > Structure of Theories General Issues > Theory Change
Date:	2018
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/15053

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• Defining a crisis: The roles of principles in the search for a theory of quantum gravity. (deposited 29 Aug 2018 23:49)
  • Defining a crisis: The roles of principles in the search for a theory of quantum gravity. (deposited 25 Sep 2018 15:19) [Currently Displayed]

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