The Real Problem with Perturbative Quantum Field Theory

Fraser, James D.

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: Jun 28, 2020
• 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
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1306939
• Related Public URLs: http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/13348/