Jalloh, Mahmoud (2022) The Π-Theorem as a Guide to Quantity Symmetries and the Argument Against Absolutism. [Preprint]

Preview

Text QuantitySymmetriesPostArchival924.pdf Download (507kB) | Preview

Abstract

In this paper a symmetry argument against quantity absolutism is amended. Rather
than arguing against the fundamentality of intrinsic quantities on the basis of transformations of basic quantities, e.g. mass doubling, a class of symmetries defined by the Π-theorem is used. This theorem is a fundamental result of dimensional analysis and shows that all unit-invariant equations which adequately represent physical systems can be put into the form of a function of dimensionless quantities. Quantity transformations that leave those dimensionless quantities invariant are empirical and dynamical symmetries. The proposed symmetries of the original argument fail to be both dynamical and empirical symmetries and are open to counterexamples. The amendment of the original argument requires consideration of the relationships between quantity dimensions. The discussion raises a pertinent issue: what is the modal status of the constants of nature which figure in the laws? Two positions, constant necessitism and constant contingentism, are introduced and their relationships to absolutism and comparativism undergo preliminary investigation. It is argued that the absolutist can only reject the amended symmetry argument by accepting constant necessitism, which has a costly outcome: unit transformations are no longer symmetries.

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Jalloh, Mahmoud mahmoudtimbojalloh@gmail.com 0000-0001-8511-9294
Keywords:	quantity, symmetry, dimensional analysis
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > Laws of Nature Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Depositing User:	Mahmoud Jalloh
Date Deposited:	24 Sep 2022 13:11
Last Modified:	24 Sep 2022 13:11
Item ID:	21199
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > Laws of Nature Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Date:	September 2022
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/21199

Available Versions of this Item

• The Π-Theorem as a Guide to Quantity Symmetries and the Argument Against Absolutism. (deposited 22 Jul 2022 22:31)
  • The Π-Theorem as a Guide to Quantity Symmetries and the Argument Against Absolutism. (deposited 24 Sep 2022 13:11) [Currently Displayed]
    • The Π-Theorem as a Guide to Quantity Symmetries and the Argument Against Absolutism. (deposited 12 Jan 2023 17:39)
      • The Π-Theorem as a Guide to Quantity Symmetries and the Argument Against Absolutism. (deposited 07 May 2023 18:54)

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item