Jacobs, Caspar (2022) The Nature of a Constant of Nature: the Case of G. [Preprint]

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Abstract

Physics presents us with a symphony of natural constants: G, h, c, etc. Up to this point, constants have received comparatively little philosophical attention. In this paper I provide an account of dimensionful constants, in particular the gravitational constant. I propose that they represent inter-quantity structure in the form of relations between quantities with different dimensions. I use this account of G to settle a debate over whether mass scalings are symmetries of Newtonian Gravitation. I argue that they are not, but only if we interpret mass anti-quidditistically. This is analogous to anti-haecceitism in the presence of spacetime symmetries.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Jacobs, Caspar casparjacobs@gmail.co
Keywords:	constants; constant of nature; symmetries; value space; mass; mass scaling; quantities; metaphysics of quantities; Newtonian Gravitation
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Depositing User:	Caspar Jacobs
Date Deposited:	17 Oct 2022 17:04
Last Modified:	17 Oct 2022 17:04
Item ID:	21278
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Classical Physics Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Date:	2022
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/21278

Available Versions of this Item

• The Nature of a Constant of Nature. (deposited 16 Oct 2022 19:14)
  • The Nature of a Constant of Nature: the Case of G. (deposited 17 Oct 2022 17:04) [Currently Displayed]

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