Ruyant, Quentin (2021) Symmetries, Indexicality and the Perspectivist Stance. International Studies in the Philosophy of Science, 34 (1). pp. 21-39. ISSN 0269-8595

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Abstract

I critically examine the assumption that the theoretical structure that varies under theoretical symmetries is redundant and should be eliminated from a metaphysical picture of the universe, following a ‘symmetry to reality’ inference. I do so by analysing the status of coordinate change symmetries taking a pragmatic approach. I argue that coordinate systems function as indexical devices, and play an important pragmatic role for representing concrete physical systems. I examine the implications of considering this pragmatic role seriously, taking what I call a perspectivist stance. My conclusion is that under a perspectivist stance, all symmetries (including local gauge symmetries) potentially have a direct empirical status: they point to dynamical aspects that are invariant under changes of operationalisation, and they constitute a guide not to reality, but to nomology and kinship.

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Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Ruyant, Quentin quentin.ruyant@gmail.com
Keywords:	symmetries indexicality perspectivism
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > Experimentation General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Structure of Theories Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances General Issues > Theory/Observation
Depositing User:	Mr. Quentin Ruyant
Date Deposited:	22 Feb 2024 02:22
Last Modified:	22 Feb 2024 02:22
Item ID:	23121
Journal or Publication Title:	International Studies in the Philosophy of Science
Publisher:	Routledge: Francis and Taylor
Official URL:	https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/026985...
DOI or Unique Handle:	10.1080/02698595.2021.2001723
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > Experimentation General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Structure of Theories Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances General Issues > Theory/Observation
Date:	November 2021
Page Range:	pp. 21-39
Volume:	34
Number:	1
ISSN:	0269-8595
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/23121

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