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Renormalization group methods: Which kind of explanation?
Elena Castellani1, Emilia Margoni2
1Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy.
Studies in History and Philosophy of Science
|September 1, 2022
Summary
Renormalization Group (RG) methods offer powerful explanations in physics. This paper argues RG explanations arise from a non-trivial intersection of mathematical and physical features, not solely from mathematics.
Area of Science:
- Theoretical Physics
- Philosophy of Science
- Mathematical Physics
Background:
- Renormalization and Renormalization Group (RG) are crucial tools in modern physics, impacting the conceptualization of physical theories.
- Existing philosophical accounts, such as Morrison's, characterize RG explanations as mathematical, non-reductive, and non-causal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the philosophical underpinnings of explanations provided by Renormalization Group (RG) methods.
- To critically examine the claim that RG explanations are exclusively mathematical.
Main Methods:
- Historical overview of Renormalization Group (RG) in physics.
- Scrutiny of recent philosophical debates on RG explanations.
- Focused analysis of Morrison's account of RG explanation.
Main Results:
- RG explanations are not solely derived from their mathematical character.
- A non-trivial interplay between mathematical and physical aspects is essential for RG's explanatory power.
- RG theory's explanatory role is a synthesis of mathematical structure and physical interpretation.
Conclusions:
- The explanatory capacity of Renormalization Group (RG) methods transcends purely mathematical descriptions.
- Effective RG explanations necessitate an integrated understanding of both mathematical formalisms and their physical significance.
- Future philosophical analyses of RG should acknowledge this crucial intersection of mathematical and physical elements.
Keywords:
Critical phenomenaEffective theoriesMathematical explanationNon-causal explanationRenormalization groupMore Related Videos
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