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The Real Problem with Perturbative Quantum Field Theory

Fraser, James D.

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Authors

James D. Fraser



Abstract

The perturbative approach to quantum field theory (QFT) has long been viewed with suspicion by philosophers of science. This article offers a diagnosis of its conceptual problems. Drawing on Norton’s ([2012]) discussion of the notion of approximation I argue that perturbativeQFTought to be understood as producing approximations without specifying an underlying QFT model. This analysis leads to a reassessment of common worries about perturbative QFT. What ends up being the key issue with the approach on this picture is not mathematical rigour, or the threat of inconsistency, but the need for a physical explanation of its empirical success.

Citation

Fraser, J. D. (2020). The Real Problem with Perturbative Quantum Field Theory. The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, 71(2), 391-413. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjps/axx042

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 17, 2017
Online Publication Date Jun 28, 2018
Publication Date Jun 30, 2020
Deposit Date Mar 4, 2019
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
Print ISSN 0007-0882
Electronic ISSN 1464-3537
Publisher The University of Chicago Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 71
Issue 2
Pages 391-413
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/bjps/axx042
Related Public URLs http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/13348/

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Copyright Statement
This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science following peer review. The version of record Fraser, James D. (2020). The Real Problem with Perturbative Quantum Field Theory. British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 71(2): 391-413 is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjps/axx042




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