How Is Quantum Field Theory Possible?

by Auyang, Sunny Y.

• ISBN13: 9780195093452
• ISBN10: 0195093453
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1995-07-27
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Quantum field theory (QFT) combines quantum mechanics with Einstein's special theory of relativity and underlies elementary particle physics. This book presents a philosophical analysis of QFT. It is the first treatise in which the philosophies of space-time, quantum phenomena, and particle interactions are encompassed in a unified framework. Describing the physics in nontechnical terms, and schematically illustrating complex ideas, the book also serves as an introduction to fundamental physical theories. The philosophical interpretation both upholds the reality of the quantum world and acknowledges the irreducible cognitive elements in its representation. The interpretation is based on an analysis of our ways of thinking as the are embedded in the logical structure of QFT. The author argues that philosophical categories are significant only if they play active and essential roles in our knowledge and hence constitute part of the theories in actual use. Thus she regards physical theories as primary, extracts their categorical structure, and uses it to rethink key philosophical questions. Among the questions this book tries to answer are: What are the quantum properties independent of measurements? How do we refer to individual things in a continuous field? How do theories relate to objects? What are the general conditions of the world and of our ways of thinking that make possible our knowledge of the microscopic realm, which is so intangible and counterintuitive? As a penetrating analysis of vital themes in contemporary science, the book will engage the interest of students and professionals in physics and philosophy alike.

Author Biography

Sunny Auyang has been a research scientist for 20 years with M.I.T., where she received her Ph.D. in physics

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 3
A Human View of the World in Quantum Field Theory	p. 3
The Categorical Framework of Objective Knowledge	p. 11
Nonrelativistic quantum mechanics	p. 16
The Structure of Quantum Mechanics	p. 16
The Quantum Measurement Problem	p. 22
Relativity and symmetries	p. 26
Geometry and Space-Time	p. 26
Symmetries in Physics	p. 32
The Principles of Relativity and Local Symmetry	p. 38
Quantum field theory	p. 43
Quantum Fields and Elementary Particles	p. 43
Fields, Quantum Fields, and Field Quanta	p. 47
Interacting Fields and Gauge Field Theory	p. 54
Object of experiences: quantum state--observables--statistics	p. 61
Properties and Quantum Properties: Amplitudes	p. 61
The Form of Observation and the Reality of Quantum States	p. 70
The Gap in Understanding: Eigenvalue and Probability	p. 78
Coordinatization of the Quantum World: Observables	p. 85
The General Concept of Objects in Physical Theories	p. 89
The Illusion of the Observer	p. 104
The Mentalism of yes--no Experiments	p. 113
The event structure and the spatio-temporal structure: local fields	p. 119
The Whole and the Individual: Field and Event	p. 119
This-Something: Events or Local Fields	p. 122
The Basic Spatio-Temporal Structure of the Physical World	p. 133
The Referential Structure of Field Theory	p. 152
The States of the Field as a Whole: Field Quanta	p. 157
Identity and Diversity: Quantum Multi-Particle Systems	p. 160
Explicit relations and the causal order: interacting fields	p. 166
Relation and Constant Predication	p. 166
Permanence, Endurance, and the Concepts of Time	p. 169
How Are Regular Successions of Events Possible?	p. 175
Relational Properties: Phase and Potential	p. 183
Causal Relations: Connection and Parallel Transport	p. 187
Thoroughgoing Interaction: Renormalization	p. 189
Epilogue	p. 194
The Intelligibility of the Objective World	p. 194
Measure and probability: quantity, quality, modality	p. 197
Measure: the General Concept of Extensive Magnitudes	p. 197
Function and Distribution: Individual and Collective Qualities	p. 203
Individual, Statistical, and Probabilistic Statements	p. 206
Fiber bundles and interaction dynamics	p. 214
The cosmic and the microscopic: an application	p. 223
Notes	p. 229
Bibliography	p. 265
Index	p. 273
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