Lopez, Cristian (2024) Against Symmetry Fundamentalism. Erkenntnis. ISSN 0165-0106
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Abstract
Symmetry fundamentalism claims that symmetries should be taken metaphysically seriously as part of the fundamental ontology. The main aim of this paper is to bring some novel objections against this view. I make two points. The first places symmetry fundamentalism within a broader network of philosophical commitments. I claim that symmetry fundamentalism entails idealization realism which, in turn, entails the reification of further theoretical structures. This might lead to an overloaded ontology as well as open the way to criticisms from metaphysical frameworks that reject such reifications. The second point contrasts symmetry fundamentalism with the now common view that regards symmetries as stipulations guiding empirical research and theory construction. I claim that both views clash each other and cannot be held together. I finish the paper with a more positive prospect that will be developed in future work—symmetry deflationism.
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| Item Type: | Published Article or Volume | ||||||
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| Keywords: | symmetries, ontology. fundamentalism, physics | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances |
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| Depositing User: | Dr. Cristian Lopez | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 07 Jan 2025 13:34 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 07 Jan 2025 13:34 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 24484 | ||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | Erkenntnis | ||||||
| Publisher: | Springer (Springer Science+Business Media B.V.) | ||||||
| Official URL: | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10670-0... | ||||||
| DOI or Unique Handle: | 10.1007/s10670-023-00774-4 | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances |
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| Date: | 27 January 2024 | ||||||
| ISSN: | 0165-0106 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/24484 |
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