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LTT: Marian J.R. Gilton
January 23 @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EST
Title: Where counting counts: Supporting a particle interpretation of particle physics
Abstract: There is a general consensus among philosophers of physics that quantum field theory (QFT) does not admit of a particle interpretation, and that, therefore, the actual phenomena in the world studied by particle physics does not include any particles–at least, not fundamentally. This seems to put QFT in tension with both experimental and theoretical particle physics, as these latter two make frequent appeals to the notion that, not only do particles exist, but they are the basic objects of study. Subsequent philosophical research has sought to address this tension by developing accounts of emergent particles, or by recovering particles in the classical limit of QFT, or by otherwise explaining how our talk of particles is a useful fiction. In this talk, I will turn to reassessing the implications of the original results showing that QFT does not admit of a particle interpretation. I will focus on the issue of counting distinct particle states in interacting QFT. I will argue that there is actually very little tension between what interacting QFT on the one hand, and theoretical and experimental particle physics on the other, have to say regarding the conditions under which we can count distinct particle states.
Can’t make it in-person? This talk will available online with the following Zoom link, found here: https://pitt.zoom.us/j/96466973345
This talk will also be available live streamed on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg
Details
- Date:
- January 23
- Time:
-
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EST
- Event Categories:
- Lunchtime Talks, Lunchtime Talks 2023-24
Venue
- 1119 Cathedral of Learning
Organizer
- Center for Philosophy of Science
- Phone:
- 4126241050
- Email:
- pittcntr@pitt.edu
- View Organizer Website