Scientific Realism in Particle Physics: A Causal Approach

Matthias Egg

Published by De Gruyter 2014

Scientific Realism in Particle Physics

A Causal Approach

Matthias Egg

Volume 29 in the series Epistemische Studien / Epistemic Studies

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110354409

Overview
Contents

About this book

Particle physics studies highly complex processes which cannot be directly observed. Scientific realism claims that we are nevertheless warranted in believing that these processes really occur and that the objects involved in them really exist. This book defends a version of scientific realism, called causal realism, in the context of particle physics.

The first part of the book introduces the central theses and arguments in the recent philosophical debate on scientific realism and discusses entity realism, which is the most important precursor of causal realism. It also argues against the view that the very debate on scientific realism is not worth pursuing at all.

In the second part, causal realism is developed and the key distinction between two kinds of warrant for scientific claims is clarified. This distinction proves its usefulness in a case study analyzing the discovery of the neutrino. It is also shown to be effective against an influential kind of pessimism, according to which even our best present theories are likely to be replaced some day by radically distinct alternatives.

The final part discusses some specific challenges posed to realism by quantum physics, such as non-locality, delayed choice and the absence of particles in relativistic quantum theories.

Author / Editor information

Matthias Egg, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.

Supplementary Materials

Egg_Contents_v1

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Preface Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	v
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Part I: The Recent Debate on Scientific Realism
1 Scientific Realism and Its Relation to Common Sense Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
2 Entity Realism Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	19
3 NOA and the Vices of the Realism Debate Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	33
Part II: Causal Realism
4 Causal vs. Theoretical Warrant Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	47
5 Causal Warrant for the Neutrino: A Case Study Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	67
6 The Problem of Unconceived Alternatives Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	79
Part III: The Quantum Challenge
7 Causal Realism in the Context of Bell-Type Experiments Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	103
8 Delayed-Choice Experiments and the Metaphysics of Entanglement Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	137
9 Particle Physics without Particles? On Causal Realism in Quantum Field Theory Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	149
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	175
Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	187

(Deutsch)

Language: English
Publisher: De Gruyter
Audience: Academics, Institutes, Libraries
Pages
- Front matter: 10
- Main content: 190
Keywords: Causal explanation; physics; quantum physics

eBook

Published: August 19, 2014
ISBN: 9783110354409

Hardcover

Published: July 28, 2014
ISBN: 9783110354393