Adlam, Emily (2024) Quantum Field Theory and the Limits of Reductionism. Synthese, 204 (80). ISSN 1573-0964

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Abstract

I suggest that the current situation in quantum field theory (QFT) provides some reason to question the universal validity of ontological reductionism. I argue that the renormalization group flow is reversible except at fixed points, which makes the relation between large and small distance scales quite symmetric in QFT, opening up at least the technical possibility of a non-reductionist approach to QFT. I suggest that some conceptual problems encountered within QFT may potentially be mitigated by moving to an alternative picture in which it is no longer the case that the large supervenes on the small. Finally, I explore some specific models in which a form of non-reductionism might be implemented, and consider the prospects for future development of these models.

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Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Adlam, Emily eadlam90@gmail.com
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Depositing User:	Dr Emily Adlam
Date Deposited:	11 Oct 2024 14:44
Last Modified:	11 Oct 2024 14:44
Item ID:	24029
Journal or Publication Title:	Synthese
Publisher:	Springer (Springer Science+Business Media B.V.)
Official URL:	https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11229-0...
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Date:	August 2024
Volume:	204
Number:	80
ISSN:	1573-0964
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/24029

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