Philosophical Foundations of Quantum Field Theory

ISBN-13: 9780198242895 / Angielski / Miękka / 1990 / 200 str.

Daniel W. Graham; Jr. Harvey R. Brown; Rom Harre

Opis

Quantum field theory, one of the most rapidly developing areas of contemporary physics, is full of problems of great theoretical and philosophical interest. This collection of essays is the first systematic exploration of the nature and implications of quantum field theory. The contributors discuss quantum field theory from a wide variety of standpoints, exploring in detail its mathematical structure and metaphysical and methodological implications.

Recenzje

'the book offers a substantial and stimulating commentary on GFT as an object of philosophical enquiry ,,, the book offers a solid, useful and much needed beginning, and is for the most part clearly written and always clearly presented. I urge anyone with an interest in the subject to acquire it.' C.A. Hooker, University of Newcastle, Philosophy of Science

Spis treści

Rom Harré & Harvey Brown both of the University of Oxford: Introduction; I. QUANTUM FIELD THEORY AS AN OBJECT OF PHILOSOPHICAL STUDY: TWO VIEWS: Michael Redhead, University of Cambridge: A philosopher looks at quantum field theory; James T. Cushing, University of Notre Dame: Foundational problems in and methodological lessons from quantum field theory; II. THE PROBLEMS OF VIRTUAL PARTICLES AND RENORMALIZATION: Robert Weingard, Rutgers University: Virtual particles and the interpretation of quantum field theory; Rom Harré: Parsing the amplitudes; Paul Teller, University of Illinois: Three problems of renormalization; III. COVARIANCE PRINCIPLES IN QUANTUM FIELD THEORY: Gordon N. Fleming, Pennsylvania State University: Hyperplane-dependent quantized fields and Lorentz invariance; Tian-yu Cao, Trinity College, Cambridge: Gauge theory and the geometrization of fundamental physics; IV. MATHEMATICAL FOUNDATIONS OF QUANTUM FIELD THEORY: Ray F. Streater, King's College, London: Why should anyone want to axiomatize quantum field theory?; Simon Saunders, Wolfson College, Oxford: The algebraic notation of quantum field theory.