Renormalization group methods and the epistemology of effective field theories

Koberinski, Adam; Fraser, Doreen

doi:10.1016/j.shpsa.2023.01.003

Studies in History and Philosophy of Science

2023

DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsa.2023.01.003

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Renormalization group methods and the epistemology of effective field theories

Adam Koberinski

Doreen Fraser

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Cited by 7 publications

References 49 publications

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Sloppy Models, Renormalization Group Realism, and the Success of Science

Freeborn

2023

Erkenn

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The “sloppy models” program originated in systems biology, but has seen applications across a range of fields. Sloppy models are dependent on a large number of parameters, but highly insensitive to the vast majority of parameter combinations. Sloppy models proponents claim that the program may explain the success of science. I argue that the sloppy models program can at best provide a very partial explanation. Drawing a parallel with renormalization group realism, I argue that it would only give us grounds for a minimal kind of scientific realism. Nonetheless, the program can offer certain epistemic virtues.

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Sloppy Models, Renormalization Group Realism, and the Success of Science

Freeborn

2023

Erkenn

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Quantum field theory and the limits of reductionism

Adlam

2024

Synthese

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I suggest that the current situation in quantum field theory (QFT) provides some reason to question the universal validity of ontological reductionism. I argue that the renormalization group flow is reversible except at fixed points, which makes the relation between large and small distance scales quite symmetric in QFT, opening up at least the technical possibility of a non-reductionist approach to QFT. I suggest that some conceptual problems encountered within QFT may potentially be mitigated by moving to an alternative picture in which it is no longer the case that the large supervenes on the small. Finally, I explore some specific models in which a form of non-reductionism might be implemented, and consider the prospects for future development of these models.

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Open systems across scales

Rivat

2024

Synthese

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The view that our best current physics deals with effective systems has gained philosophical traction in the last two decades. A similar view about open systems has also been picking up steam in recent years. Yet little has been said about how the concepts of effective and open systems relate to each other despite their apparent kinship—both indeed seem at first sight to presuppose that the system in question is somehow incomplete. In this paper, I distinguish between two concepts of effectiveness and openness in quantum field theory, which provides a remarkably well-developed theoretical framework to make a first stab at the matter, and argue that on both counts, every realistic effective system in this context is also open. I conclude by highlighting how the discussion opens novel avenues for thinking of systems as open across scales.

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Renormalization group methods and the epistemology of effective field theories

Cited by 7 publications

References 49 publications

Sloppy Models, Renormalization Group Realism, and the Success of Science

Sloppy Models, Renormalization Group Realism, and the Success of Science

Quantum field theory and the limits of reductionism

Open systems across scales

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