Chen, Lu and Read, James (2023) Is the metric signature really electromagnetic in origin? [Preprint]

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Abstract

The programme of `pre-metric electromagnetism', developed by Hehl and collaborators, seeks to derive certain aspects of the spacetime geometry of the world (in particular, metrical signature) from elementary, empirically-informed axioms regarding electromagnetic fields. The programme should, therefore, be of profound interest to both empiricist and relationalist philosophers. Up to this point, however, pre-metric electromagnetism has received very little attention within the philosophy of physics; this paper seeks to rectify the situation, by engaging in a detailed foundational study of the programme. In particular, in this article, we (a) present a streamlined version of the programme, identifying key input assumptions, (b) consider the connections between this programme and other notable projects in the foundations of spacetime theories, e.g. (i) the dynamical approach to spacetime and (ii) constructive axiomatics, and (c) consider in detail the extent to which this programme can be generalised beyond electromagnetism. In achieving these tasks, we hope to open up to philosophers an extraordinarily fecund---but lamentably little-known!---project within the foundations of physics.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Chen, Lu luchen@ku.edu.tr Read, James james.read@philosophy.ox.ac.uk
Keywords:	Electromagnetism, Yang-Mills theory, axiomatics, metric signature, dynamical relativity, functionalism
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Depositing User:	Dr. James Read
Date Deposited:	12 Sep 2023 20:00
Last Modified:	12 Sep 2023 20:00
Item ID:	22538
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles Specific Sciences > Physics > Relativity Theory Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances
Date:	12 September 2023
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/22538

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• Is the metric signature really electromagnetic in origin? (deposited 12 Sep 2023 20:00) [Currently Displayed]
  • Is the metric signature really electromagnetic in origin? (deposited 10 Oct 2023 19:48)

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