Fletcher, Samuel C. (2019) An Invitation to Approximate Symmetry, with Three Applications to Intertheoretic Relations. Synthese. ISSN 1573-0964
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Abstract
Merely approximate symmetry is mundane enough in physics that one rarely finds any explication of it. Among philosophers it has also received scant attention compared to exact symmetries. Herein I invite further consideration of this concept that is so essential to the practice of physics and interpretation of physical theory. After motivating why it deserves such scrutiny, I propose a minimal definition of approximate symmetry - that is, one that presupposes as little structure on a physical theory to which it is applied as seems needed. Then I apply this definition to three topics: first, accounting for or explaining the symmetries of a theory emeritus in intertheoretic reduction; second, explicating and evaluating the Curie-Post principle; and third, a new account of accidental symmetry.
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| Item Type: | Published Article or Volume | ||||||
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| Additional Information: | This is the postprint version, i.e., pre-copyediting. Also available at author's website. | ||||||
| Keywords: | Symmetry, Approximation, Similarity, Intertheoretic reduction, Curie-Post principle, Accidental symmetry, Quasicrystals | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Reductionism/Holism Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances |
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| Depositing User: | Prof. Samuel C. Fletcher | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 29 May 2020 03:28 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 29 May 2020 03:28 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 17230 | ||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | Synthese | ||||||
| Publisher: | Springer (Springer Science+Business Media B.V.) | ||||||
| DOI or Unique Handle: | 10.1007/s11229-019-02371-x | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Reductionism/Holism Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances |
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| Date: | 14 August 2019 | ||||||
| ISSN: | 1573-0964 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/17230 |
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