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Identity, Superselection Theory, and the Statistical Properties of Quantum Fields

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2022

David John Baker
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Abstract

The permutation symmetry of quantum mechanics is widely thought to imply a sort of metaphysical underdetermination about the identity of particles. Despite claims to the contrary, this implication does not hold in the more fundamental quantum field theory, where an ontology of particles is not generally available. Although permutations are often defined as acting on particles, a more general account of permutation symmetry can be formulated using superselection theory. As a result, permutation symmetry applies even in field theories with no particle interpretation. The quantum mechanical account of permutations acting on particles is recovered as a special case.

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 80 , Issue 2 , April 2013 , pp. 262 - 285
Copyright
Copyright © The Philosophy of Science Association

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Footnotes

†

Hans Halvorson deserves considerable thanks for helping me develop these ideas. Many thanks to Gordon Belot, Dan Peterson, and Chip Sebens for illuminating comments on a previous draft. Discussion of these and related issues with Noel Swanson was also crucial to the development of this article. This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant SES-1127260.

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