Symmetries and Measurements

Bibliographic Data

ID5001917
AuthorsSebastián Murgueitio Ramírez (0000-0003-0035-0150, Purdue University West Lafayette, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume19
Issue6
Publication date2024-06-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePhilosophy Compass (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1747-9991 • E-ISSN: 1747-9991
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/phc3.13006
OpenAlexW4399681353
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited22

According to the orthodox view, one can appeal to the symmetries of a theory in order to show that it is impossible to measure the properties that are not invariant under such symmetries. For example, it is widely believed that the fact that boosts are symmetries of Newtonian mechanics entails that it is impossible to measure states of absolute motion in a Newtonian world (these states vary under boosts). This paper offers an overview of the various ways by which philosophers have spelled out the connection between the symmetries of a theory and the alleged impossibility of measuring some properties (the variant ones). The paper will use the case of absolute motion as a case study, and will discuss a recent unorthodox view according to which this kind of motion can actually be measured in Newtonian mechanics. The paper ends by considering some avenues by which the discussion can be further developed

Geometry · Homogeneous space · Physics · Theoretical physics · History and Theory of Mathematics · Mathematics · Philosophy and History of Science · Psychology · Relativity and Gravitational Theory

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