Infinite idealizations in physics
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4880073 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Elay Shech (0000-0002-3863-5058, Auburn University, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2018 |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 9 |
| Publication date | 2018-09-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Philosophy Compass (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1747-9991 • E-ISSN: 1747-9991 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/phc3.12514 |
| OpenAlex | W2806828245 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 10 |
| References cited | 84 |
In this essay, I provide an overview of the debate on infinite and essential idealizations in physics. I will first present two ostensible examples: phase transitions and the Aharonov-Bohm effect. Then, I will describe the literature on the topic as a debate between two positions: Essentialists claim that idealizations are essential or indispensable for scientific accounts of certain physical phenomena, while dispensabilists maintain that idealizations are dispensable from mature scientific theory. I will also identify some attempts at finding a middle ground between the essentialists and dispensabilists camps. Finally, I will raise questions for future research on essential and infinite idealizations via the notion of exploration
Epistemology · Physics · Theoretical physics · Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics · Computer Science · Philosophy · Philosophy and History of Science · Quantum Mechanics and Applications
Idealization, representation, and explanation in the sciences
Renormalization group methods
Reckoning with Continuum Idealizations
Philosophy of Astrophysics
Infinite idealizations in science
The non-ideal theory of the Aharonov–Bohm effect
Inductive neutrality and scientific representation
Explaining universality
On the Universality of Hawking Radiation
The Black Hole Idealization Paradox
Interpreting Quantum Theories
Re-Engineering Philosophy for Limited Beings
Less is Different
Emergence and mechanism in the fractional quantum Hall effect
Explaining quantum spontaneous symmetry breaking
Proving the principle
Taking Thermodynamics Too Seriously
Falling cats, parallel parking, and polarized light
Critical phenomena and breaking drops
The impossible process
Spontaneous symmetry breaking in quantum systems
The infinite limit as an eliminable approximation for phase transitions
On “Minimal Model Explanations”
The nature of model-based understanding in condensed matter physics
Functional reduction and emergence in the physical sciences
Point-particle explanations
Idealizations, essential self-adjointness, and minimal model explanation in the Aharonov–Bohm effect
Physical Emergence, Diachronic And Synchronic
The explanatory dispensability of idealizations
Emergence and singular limits
Infinitesimal idealization, easy road nominalism, and fractional quantum statistics
On the paradox of reversible processes in thermodynamics
Scientific misrepresentation and guides to ontology
Infinite idealization and contextual realism
Idealization and abstraction
Infinite lies and explanatory ties
Galilean idealization
Understanding Thermodynamic Singularities
Approximation and Idealization
Explaining the Emergence of Cooperative Phenomena
On the Role of Bridge Laws in Intertheoretic Relations
A Matter of Degree
How Properties Emerge
Nonlocality and the Aharonov-Bohm Effect
Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking in Finite Systems
Minimal Model Explanations
What Is the Paradox of Phase Transitions
Emergent Physics and Micro-Ontology
The Principles of Gauging
Hydrodynamics versus Molecular Dynamics
Models in Physics
Understanding Electromagnetism
Idealization
Foundation of statistical mechanics
Emergence in Physics
Foundation of statistical mechanics
| Unique citing works | 10 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1,43 |
| Citation span | 2019 - 2024 (6) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 7 |