Broken Symmetry and Spacetime.

The phenomenon of broken spacetime symmetry in the quantum theory of infinite systems seems to point toward an unorthodox ontology. The standard conception of the physical meaning of these symmetries, as changes in coordinates, conflicts with the apparent physical inequivalence of symmetry-related s...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Philosophy of Science Vol. 78; no. 1; pp. 128 - 149
Autor principal: Baker, David John
Formato: Artículo
Publicado: Cambridge University Press Jan2011
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Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:The phenomenon of broken spacetime symmetry in the quantum theory of infinite systems seems to point toward an unorthodox ontology. The standard conception of the physical meaning of these symmetries, as changes in coordinates, conflicts with the apparent physical inequivalence of symmetry-related states. I argue that this apparent conflict is an artifact of a subtle error in the extant account of physical equivalence due to Halvorson and Clifton.