Emergence in effective field theories

Jonathan Bain

doi:10.1007/s13194-013-0067-0

Emergence in effective field theories

Jonathan Bain

Technology, Culture and Society

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Abstract

This essay considers the extent to which a concept of emergence can be associated with Effective Field Theories (EFTs). I suggest that such a concept can be characterized by microphysicalism and novelty underwritten by the elimination of degrees of freedom from a high-energy theory, and argue that this makes emergence in EFTs distinct from other concepts of emergence in physics that have appeared in the recent philosophical literature.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	257-273
Number of pages	17
Journal	European Journal for Philosophy of Science
Volume	3
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/s13194-013-0067-0
State	Published - Oct 2013

Keywords

Effective field theory
Emergence
Quantum field theory

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Philosophy
History and Philosophy of Science

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10.1007/s13194-013-0067-0

Cite this

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abstract = "This essay considers the extent to which a concept of emergence can be associated with Effective Field Theories (EFTs). I suggest that such a concept can be characterized by microphysicalism and novelty underwritten by the elimination of degrees of freedom from a high-energy theory, and argue that this makes emergence in EFTs distinct from other concepts of emergence in physics that have appeared in the recent philosophical literature.",

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Emergence in effective field theories

Abstract

Keywords

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