Scale invaders and the ascent of pessimism

Abstract: 21st century philosophy of physics has been enriched by a developing alliance between (i) a broad effective field theory philosophy, embracing a range of effective field theory techniques, and (ii) a species of scientific realism educated by that philosophy and those techniques. Key to the alliance is the idea that, for a healthy variety of quantum field theories understood as effective theories, a separation of scales enables the aspirant realist to identify "the right variables" for effective physics, and frame her realism in their terms. In this talk, I'll explicate the alliance between physicists' effective theory technologies and philosophers'—specifically, scientific realists'—aspirations to understand our best physics as revealing deep truths about the physical world. Then I'll develop a challenge to the alliance in the form of what I call scale invaders—something, I'll argue, working physicists should be hoping for, despite the trouble they make for scientific realism.

HEP - theoryhistory and philosophy of physicsquantum physics

Audience: advanced learners

( video )

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Tricontinental Quantum Fundamentals Seminar

Series comments: The Tricontinental Quantum Fundamentals Seminar (3C-QFS) is an online seminar series connecting researchers from Australia, Europe, and America. Our goal is to facilitate discussion between the three continents and bring together those working on foundational topics in relativistic quantum physics, covering but not limited to:

• Measurement, localisation, and causality in relativistic quantum theory
• Energy conditions and quantum inequalities
• Non-locality and observer-dependence of entanglement
• Quantum reference frames and symmetries in quantum theory
• Holography, AdS/CFT, and analogue gravity

For 3C-QFS, we wish to foster an inclusive community and promote open discussion by encouraging a casual atmosphere during the seminars.

The seminars are held online via Zoom, consisting of 40-60 minute talks followed by additional time for questions. We meet every three weeks on Tuesday, alternating between two times in order to connect research communities across two of the three continents.

For those unable to join the seminars live, talks are recorded and hosted on the 3C-QFS YouTube channel.

The seminar series is primarily for students and academics active in the foundations of physics. To sign up for the mailing list and join the seminars live, please complete the registration form on the 3C-QFS website.

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