On Empirical Equivalence and Duality

Haro, Sebastian De

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-51197-5_3

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Similarly, I would argue that the low-energy applications of the gauge/gravity duality has led string theory through a second epistemic shift, which has divided the field into two groups with different tastes and virtues. Although recent historiographic, philosophical, and sociological studies of string theory like [8] and [9] are analyzing the field in its original context as a theory of quantum gravity, they may be picking up on this shift 15 . Gilbert and Loveridge note that while string theorists' tastes afford them a pluralistic approach to scientific study, this is only true "as long as it remains under the string theory umbrella."…”

Section: Towards Autonomy: String Theory's Fractured Identitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Holography, Application, and String Theory's Changing Nature

Greenspan¹

2022

Preprint

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Based on string theory's framework, the gauge/gravity duality, also known as holography, has the ability to solve practical problems in low energy physical systems like metals and fluids. Holographic applications open a path for conversation and collaboration between the theorydriven, high energy culture of string theory and fields like nuclear and condensed matter physics, which in contrast place great emphasis on the empirical evidence that experiment provides. This paper takes a look at holography's history, from its roots in string theory to its present-day applications that are challenging the cultural identity of the field. I will focus on two of these applications: holographic QCD and holographic superconductivity, highlighting some of the (often incompatible) historical influences, motives, and epistemic values at play, as well as the subcultural shifts that help the collaborations work. The extent to which holographic research -arguably string theory's most successful and prolific area -must change its subcultural identity in order to function in fields outside of string theory reflects its changing nature and the uncertain future of the field. Does string theory lose its identity in the low-energy applications that holography provides? Does holography still belong under string theory's umbrella, or is it destined to form new subcultures with each of its fields of application? I find that the answers to these questions are dynamic, interconnected, and highly dependent on string theory's relationship with its field of application. In some cases, holography can maintain the goals and values it inherited from string theory. In others, it instead adopts the goals and values of the field in which it is applied. These examples highlight a growing need for the STS community to expand its treatment of string theory regarding its relationship with empiricism and role as a theory of quantum gravity.

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Section: Towards Autonomy: String Theory's Fractured Identitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…I will assume that all forms of the gauge/gravity duality result in theoretical, physical, and empirical equivalence and not add to the existing philosophical work in this area. See[14,15,16] for details.…”

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confidence: 99%

Holography, Application, and String Theory's Changing Nature

Greenspan¹

2022

Preprint

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The Empirical Under-Determination Argument Against Scientific Realism for Dual Theories

Haro

2021

Erkenn

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This paper explores the options available to the anti-realist to defend a Quinean empirical under-determination thesis using examples of dualities. I first explicate a version of the empirical under-determination thesis that can be brought to bear on theories of contemporary physics. Then I identify a class of examples of dualities that lead to empirical under-determination . But I argue that the resulting under-determination is benign, and is not a threat to a cautious scientific realism. Thus dualities are not new ammunition for the anti-realist. The paper also shows how the number of possible interpretative options about dualities that have been considered in the literature can be reduced, and suggests a general approach to scientific realism that one may take dualities to favour.

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An invitation to conventionalism: a philosophy for modern (space-)times

Dürr,

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2024

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Geometric underdetermination (i.e., the underdetermination of the geometric properties of space and time) is a live possibility in light of some of our best theories of physics. In response to this, geometric conventionalism offers a selective anti-realism, refusing to assign truth values to variant geometric propositions. Although often regarded as being dead in the water by modern philosophers, in this article we propose to revitalise the programme of geometric conventionalism both on its own terms, and as an attractive response to the above-mentioned live cases of geometric underdetermination. Specifically, we (1) articulate geometrical conventionalism as we conceive it, (2) anticipate various objections to the view, and defend it against those objections, and (3) demonstrate how geometric conventionalism plays out in the context of a wide variety of spacetime theories, both classical and relativistic.

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On Empirical Equivalence and Duality

Cited by 4 publications

References 25 publications

Holography, Application, and String Theory's Changing Nature

Holography, Application, and String Theory's Changing Nature

The Empirical Under-Determination Argument Against Scientific Realism for Dual Theories

An invitation to conventionalism: a philosophy for modern (space-)times

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