Must the Microcausality Condition Be Interpreted Causally? Beyond Reduction and Matters of Fact

• Autores: Jordi Cat
• Localización: Theoria: an international journal for theory, history and foundations of science, ISSN 0495-4548, Vol. 15, Nº 37, 2000, págs. 59-85
• Idioma: español
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• Resumen

  • The 'microcausality' condition in quantum field theory is typically resented and justified on the basis of general principles of physical causality. I explore in detail a number of alternative causal interpretations of this condition. I conclude that none is fully satisfactory, independent of further and controversial assumptions about the object and scope of quantum field theories. In particular the stronger causal readings require a fully reductionist and fundamentalist attitude to quantum field theory. I argue, in a deflationary spirit, for a reading of the 'microcausality' condition as mere boundary condition, inspired by Relativity, that different possible formulations of quantum field theory must obey