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Emergence Without Limits: the Case of Phonons

Franklin, Alexander and Knox, Eleanor (2018) Emergence Without Limits: the Case of Phonons. Studies in the History and Philosophy of Modern Physics. ISSN 1355-2198

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Abstract

Recent discussions of emergence in physics have focussed on the use of limiting relations, and often particularly on singular or asymptotic limits. We discuss a putative example of emergence that does not fit into this narrative: the case of phonons. These quasi-particles have some claim to be emergent, not least because the way in which they relate to the underlying crystal is almost precisely analogous to the way in which quantum particles relate to the underlying quantum field theory. We offer an account of emergence which encompasses phonons, and argue both that emergence may thus be found in cases where the use of limits is not required, and that it provides a way of understanding cases that do involve limits.


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Item Type: Published Article or Volume
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Franklin, Alexanderalexander.a.franklin@kcl.ac.uk
Knox, Eleanoreleanor.knox@kcl.ac.uk
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Complex Systems
Specific Sciences > Physics > Condensed Matter
General Issues > Explanation
Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles
General Issues > Models and Idealization
Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Depositing User: Dr Alexander Franklin
Date Deposited: 29 Jun 2018 14:25
Last Modified: 29 Jun 2018 14:25
Item ID: 14827
Journal or Publication Title: Studies in the History and Philosophy of Modern Physics
Publisher: Elsevier
Official URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...
DOI or Unique Handle: 10.1016/j.shpsb.2018.06.001
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Complex Systems
Specific Sciences > Physics > Condensed Matter
General Issues > Explanation
Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles
General Issues > Models and Idealization
Specific Sciences > Physics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Field Theory
General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Date: 23 June 2018
ISSN: 1355-2198
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14827

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