Robert Weingard
Biographic Data
| ID | 967587 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Robert Weingard |
| GIVEN NAMES | Robert |
| FAMILY NAME | Weingard |
| SIGNATURE | WEINGARD R |
| AFFILIATIONS | Rutgers Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 18 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 31 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 18 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1972 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2000 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Topology Change and the Unity of Space
Critical Review
Paul Teller's (1995) new book, “An Interpretive Introduction to Quantum Field Theory”, is a pioneering work. To the best of our knowledge it is the first book by a philosopher devoted not only to explaining what quantum field theory (QFT) is, but to clarifying the conceptual issues and puzzles to which the theory gives rise (though Auyung 1995 treats some different issues in QFT). As such it is an important book, which we hope will greatly stimul…
Time, Bohm's Theory, and Quantum Cosmology
One of the problems of quantum cosmology follows from the fact that the Hamiltonian H of classical general relativity equals zero. Quantizing canonically in the Schrodinger picture, the Schrodinger equation for the wave function Ψ of the universe is therefore the so-called Wheeler-DeWitt equation (where Ĥ is the operator version of H) and we have no quantum dynamics. In particular, it follows directly that, if Ȓ is the operator representing the r…
Exposing The Machinery of Infinite Renormalization
We explicate recent results that shed light on the obscure and troubling problem of renormalization in Quantum Field Theory (QFT). We review how divergent predictions arise in perturbative QFT, and how they are renormalized into finite quantities. Commentators have worried that there is no foundation for renormalization, and hence that QFTs are not logically coherent. We dispute this by describing the physics behind liquid diffusion, in which exa…
The renormalisation group and effective field theories
Interpretations of Quantum Field Theory
In this paper we critically review the various attempts that have been made to understand quantum field theory. We focus on Teller's (1990) harmonic oscillator interpretation, and Bohm et al.'s (1987) causal interpretation. The former unabashedly aims to be a purely heuristic account, but we show that it is only interestingly applicable to the free bosonic field. Along the way we suggest alternative models. Bohm's interpretation provides an ontol…
Quantum Cosmology and the Beginning of the Universe
In this note a recently developed quantum oscillating finite space cosmological model is described. The principle novelty of the model is that there is a quantum blurring of the classical singularity between cycles, instead of a singularity free bounce. Recently, Quentin Smith (1988) has argued that present theoretical and observational evidence justifies the belief that the past history of the universe is finite. The relevance of this cosmologic…
Some Comments Concerning Spin and Relativity
Michael Friedman's Foundations of Space-Time Theories
Foundations of Space-Time Theories , by Michael Friedman, falls naturally into two parts. In the first, he presents the general framework within which he will characterize and discuss space-time theories, and then he devotes a chapter each to Newtonian physics, special relativity, and general relativity. Although there is some rich philosophical discussion along the way, these chapters are, of necessity, somewhat technical expositions of the gene…
Grand Unified Gauge Theories and the Number of Elementary Particles
Recently, Michael Redhead has argued that the grouping of particles into multiplets by grand unified gauge theories ( GUT 's) does not, by itself, imply an ontological reduction in the number of elementary particles. While sympathetic to Redhead's argument, in this note I argue that under certain conditions involving Kaluza-Klein theories, GUT 's would provide such an ontological reduction
Spin and space
Foundations of Space-Time Theories
Some philosophical aspects of black holes
General Relativity and the Conceivability of Time Travel
It has been suggested by several philosophers (Lewis 1976, Putnam 1962) that many of the so-called paradoxes of backward time travel can be resolved if we conceive of the backward time traveller as having a zig-zag or N -shaped world line in spacetime. In this I am in general agreement. But there is still a problem in conceiving of backward time travel this way. In this note I will show how we can solve this problem by conceiving of backward time…
General Relativity and the Length of the Past
On Cracking That Nut, Absolute Space
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
On travelling backward in time
Relativity and the Reality of Past and Future Events
The renormalisation group and effective field theories
Relativity and the Reality of Past and Future Events
Grand Unified Gauge Theories and the Number of Elementary Particles
Recently, Michael Redhead has argued that the grouping of particles into multiplets by grand unified gauge theories ( GUT 's) does not, by itself, imply an ontological reduction in the number of elementary particles. While sympathetic to Redhead's argument, in this note I argue that under certain conditions involving Kaluza-Klein theories, GUT 's would provide such an ontological reduction
Some philosophical aspects of black holes
On travelling backward in time
Time, Bohm's Theory, and Quantum Cosmology
One of the problems of quantum cosmology follows from the fact that the Hamiltonian H of classical general relativity equals zero. Quantizing canonically in the Schrodinger picture, the Schrodinger equation for the wave function Ψ of the universe is therefore the so-called Wheeler-DeWitt equation (where Ĥ is the operator version of H) and we have no quantum dynamics. In particular, it follows directly that, if Ȓ is the operator representing the r…
Interpretations of Quantum Field Theory
In this paper we critically review the various attempts that have been made to understand quantum field theory. We focus on Teller's (1990) harmonic oscillator interpretation, and Bohm et al.'s (1987) causal interpretation. The former unabashedly aims to be a purely heuristic account, but we show that it is only interestingly applicable to the free bosonic field. Along the way we suggest alternative models. Bohm's interpretation provides an ontol…
Quantum Cosmology and the Beginning of the Universe
In this note a recently developed quantum oscillating finite space cosmological model is described. The principle novelty of the model is that there is a quantum blurring of the classical singularity between cycles, instead of a singularity free bounce. Recently, Quentin Smith (1988) has argued that present theoretical and observational evidence justifies the belief that the past history of the universe is finite. The relevance of this cosmologic…
Spin and space
General Relativity and the Conceivability of Time Travel
It has been suggested by several philosophers (Lewis 1976, Putnam 1962) that many of the so-called paradoxes of backward time travel can be resolved if we conceive of the backward time traveller as having a zig-zag or N -shaped world line in spacetime. In this I am in general agreement. But there is still a problem in conceiving of backward time travel this way. In this note I will show how we can solve this problem by conceiving of backward time…
General Relativity and the Length of the Past
On Cracking That Nut, Absolute Space
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
On travelling backward in time
Relativity and the Reality of Past and Future Events
On Cracking That Nut, Absolute Space
An abstract is not available for this content so a preview has been provided. Please use the Get access link above for information on how to access this content
Some philosophical aspects of black holes
General Relativity and the Conceivability of Time Travel
It has been suggested by several philosophers (Lewis 1976, Putnam 1962) that many of the so-called paradoxes of backward time travel can be resolved if we conceive of the backward time traveller as having a zig-zag or N -shaped world line in spacetime. In this I am in general agreement. But there is still a problem in conceiving of backward time travel this way. In this note I will show how we can solve this problem by conceiving of backward time…
General Relativity and the Length of the Past
Foundations of Space-Time Theories
Spin and space
Grand Unified Gauge Theories and the Number of Elementary Particles
Recently, Michael Redhead has argued that the grouping of particles into multiplets by grand unified gauge theories ( GUT 's) does not, by itself, imply an ontological reduction in the number of elementary particles. While sympathetic to Redhead's argument, in this note I argue that under certain conditions involving Kaluza-Klein theories, GUT 's would provide such an ontological reduction
Michael Friedman's Foundations of Space-Time Theories
Foundations of Space-Time Theories , by Michael Friedman, falls naturally into two parts. In the first, he presents the general framework within which he will characterize and discuss space-time theories, and then he devotes a chapter each to Newtonian physics, special relativity, and general relativity. Although there is some rich philosophical discussion along the way, these chapters are, of necessity, somewhat technical expositions of the gene…
Some Comments Concerning Spin and Relativity
Quantum Cosmology and the Beginning of the Universe
In this note a recently developed quantum oscillating finite space cosmological model is described. The principle novelty of the model is that there is a quantum blurring of the classical singularity between cycles, instead of a singularity free bounce. Recently, Quentin Smith (1988) has argued that present theoretical and observational evidence justifies the belief that the past history of the universe is finite. The relevance of this cosmologic…
Interpretations of Quantum Field Theory
In this paper we critically review the various attempts that have been made to understand quantum field theory. We focus on Teller's (1990) harmonic oscillator interpretation, and Bohm et al.'s (1987) causal interpretation. The former unabashedly aims to be a purely heuristic account, but we show that it is only interestingly applicable to the free bosonic field. Along the way we suggest alternative models. Bohm's interpretation provides an ontol…
The renormalisation group and effective field theories
Critical Review
Paul Teller's (1995) new book, “An Interpretive Introduction to Quantum Field Theory”, is a pioneering work. To the best of our knowledge it is the first book by a philosopher devoted not only to explaining what quantum field theory (QFT) is, but to clarifying the conceptual issues and puzzles to which the theory gives rise (though Auyung 1995 treats some different issues in QFT). As such it is an important book, which we hope will greatly stimul…
Time, Bohm's Theory, and Quantum Cosmology
One of the problems of quantum cosmology follows from the fact that the Hamiltonian H of classical general relativity equals zero. Quantizing canonically in the Schrodinger picture, the Schrodinger equation for the wave function Ψ of the universe is therefore the so-called Wheeler-DeWitt equation (where Ĥ is the operator version of H) and we have no quantum dynamics. In particular, it follows directly that, if Ȓ is the operator representing the r…
Exposing The Machinery of Infinite Renormalization
We explicate recent results that shed light on the obscure and troubling problem of renormalization in Quantum Field Theory (QFT). We review how divergent predictions arise in perturbative QFT, and how they are renormalized into finite quantities. Commentators have worried that there is no foundation for renormalization, and hence that QFTs are not logically coherent. We dispute this by describing the physics behind liquid diffusion, in which exa…
Topology Change and the Unity of Space
Philosophy (16 works) · Epistemology (15 works) · Physics (13 works) · Theoretical physics (13 works) · Mathematics (12 works) · Quantum Mechanics and Applications (8 works) · Quantum mechanics (7 works) · Computer Science (6 works) · Cosmology and Gravitation Theories (6 works) · Philosophy of science (6 works)