Symmetry, Structure, and Spacetime

ISBN: 9780444531162 出版年：2007 页码：242 Rickles, Dean Elsevier Science_RM

In this book Rickles considers several interpretative difficulties raised by gauge-type symmetries (those that correspond to no change in physical state). The ubiquity of such symmetries in modern physics renders them an urgent topic in philosophy of physics. Rickles focuses on spacetime physics, and in particular classical and quantum general relativity. Here the problems posed are at their most pathological, involving the apparent disappearance of spacetime! Rickles argues that both traditional ontological positions should be replaced by a structuralist account according to which relational structure is what the physics is about.路 Unified treatment of gauge symmetries and their relationship to ontology in physics路 Brings philosophy of space and time into step with developments in modern physics路 Argues against the received view on the implications of symmetries in physics路 Provides elementary treatments of technical issues路 Illustrates a novel defense of structuralism