Synopses & Reviews
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.
Review
"The union of quantum mechanics and special relativity and its importance to the basic structure of the physical world."--Science and Spirit
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 265-272) and index.
Table of Contents
PART 1: Introduction 1. A Human View of the World in Quantum Field Theory
2. The Categorical Framework of Objective Knowledge
PART 2: Nonrelativistic Quantum Mechanics
3. The Structure of Quantum Mechanics
4. The Quantum Measurement Problem
PART 3: Relativity and Symmetries
5. Geometry and Space-time
6. Symmetries in Physics
7. The Principles of Relativity and Local Symmetry
PART 4: Quantum Field Theory
8. Quantum Fields and Elementary Particles
9. Fields, Quantum Fields, and Field Quanta
10. Interacting Field and Gauge Field Theory
PART 5: Objects of Experiences: Quantum States-Observables-Statistics
11. Properties and Quantum Properties
12. The Form of Observation and the Reality of Quantum States
13. The Gap in Understanding: Eigenvalue and Probability
14. Coordinatization of the Quantum World: Observables
15. The General Concept of Objects in Physical Theories
16. The Illusion of the Observer
17. The Mentalism Behind Yes-no Experiments
PART 6: The Event-structure and the Spatio-temporal Order: Local Fields
18. The Whole and the Individual: Field and Event
19. This-Something: Events or Local Fields
20. The Basic Spatio-temporal Structure of the Physical World
21. The Referential Structure of Field Theory
22. The States of the Field as a Whole: Field Quanta
23. Identity and Diversity: Quantum Multi-Particle Systems
PART 7: Explicit Relations and the Causal Order: Interacting Fields
24. The Constancy of Prediction and the Cement of the Universe
25. Permanence, Endurance, and the Concepts of Time
26. How Are Regular Successions of Events Possible?
27. Relational Properties: Phase and Potential
28. Causal Relations: Connection and Parallel Transport
29. Thoroughgoing Interaction: Renormalization
PART 8: Epilogue
30. The Intelligibility of the Objective World
Appendix A: Measure and Probability: Quantity, Quality, Modality
A1. Measure: The General Concept of Extensive Magnitudes
A2. Function and Distribution: Individual and Collective Qualities
A3. Individual, Statistical, and Probabilistic Statements
Appendix B: Fiber Bundles
Appendix C: The Cosmic and the Microscopic: An Application