Swanson, Noel (2024) Three Field Ontologies for QFT. In: UNSPECIFIED.
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Abstract
Relativistic quantum field theory (QFT) is ostensibly a quantum mechanical theory of fields, but determining exactly what these are is a thorny metaphysical task in the face of no-go arguments given by Baker (2009). This paper explores three possible answers according to which quantum fields are (I) superpositions of classical fields, (II) fields of expectation values for local observables, or (III) fields of local quantum states. I argue that each of these ontologies has resources available to respond to Baker’s challenge, though all three face residual puzzles.
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| Item Type: | Conference or Workshop Item (UNSPECIFIED) | ||||||
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| Keywords: | Quantum Field Theory, Relativity, Quantum Mechanics, Particles and Fields | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory |
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| Depositing User: | Noel Swanson | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 15 Oct 2024 12:53 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 15 Oct 2024 12:53 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 24062 | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory |
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| Date: | 14 October 2024 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/24062 |
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