Symmetries in Physics: Philosophical Reflections

by Edited by Katherine Brading , Elena Castellani

• ISBN13: 9780521821377
• ISBN10: 0521821371
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-12-08
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Symmetry considerations dominate modern fundamental physics, both in quantum theory and in relativity. This book presents a collection of philosophy-on-physics papers, first compiled in 2003, highlighting the main issues and controversies, and providing an entry into the subject for both physicists and philosophers. It covers topical issues such as the significance of gauge symmetry, particle identity in quantum theory, how to make sense of parity violation, the role of symmetry-breaking, the empirical status of symmetry principles, and so forth, along with more traditional problems in the philosophy of science. These include the status of the laws of nature, the relationships between mathematics, physical theory, and the world, and the extent to which mathematics dictates physics. A valuable reference for students and researchers, it will also be of interest to those studying the foundations of physics, philosophy of physics and philosophy of science.

Table of Contents

Preface

Copyright acknowledgements

List of contributors

1. Introduction

Part I. Continuous Symmetries: 2. Classic texts: extracts from Weyl and Wigner

3. Review paper: On the significance of continuous symmetry to the foundations of physics C. Martin

4. The philosophical roots of the gauge principle: Weyl and transcendental phenomenological idealism T. Ryckman

5. Symmetries and Noether's theorems K. A. Brading and H. R. Brown

6. General covariance, gauge theories, and the Kretschmann objection J. Norton

7. The interpretation of gauge symmetry M. Redhead

8. Tracking down gauge: an ode to the constrained Hamiltonian formalism J. Earman

9. Time-dependent symmetries: the link between gauge symmetries and indeterminism D. Wallace

10. A fourth way to the Aharanov-Bohm effect A. Nounou

Part II. Discrete Symmetries: 11. Classic texts: extracts from Lebniz, Kant and Black

12. Review paper: Understanding permutation symmetry S. French and D. Rickles

13. Quarticles and the identity of discernibles N. Hugget

14. Review paper: Handedness, parity violation, and the reality of space O. Pooley

15. Mirror symmetry: what is it for a relational space to be orientable? N. Huggett

16. Physics and Leibniz's principles S. Saunders

Part III. Symmetry Breaking: 17: Classic texts: extracts from Curie and Weyl

18. Extract from G. Jona-Lasinio: Cross-fertilization in theoretical physics: the case of condensed matter and particle physics G. Jona-Lasinio

19. Review paper: On the meaning of symmetry breaking E. Castellani

20. Rough guide to spontaneous symmetry breaking J. Earman

21. Spontaneous symmetry breaking: theoretical arguments and philosophical problems M. Morrison

Part IV. General Interpretative Issues: 22. Classic texts: extracts from Wigner

23. Symmetry as a guide to superfluous theoretical structure J. Ismael and B. van Fraassen

24. Notes on symmetries G. Belot

25. Symmetry, objectivity, and design P. Kosso

26. Symmetry and equivalence E. Castellani.