Is symmetry identity?

Details Is symmetry identity? Is symmetry identity?

2012-02-01

arxiv.org/abs/1202.0292v1

Chester, M. (2002) Is symmetry identity?, International Studies in the Philosophy of Science, 16, 111-124

Physics

History and Philosophy of Physics

Scientific paper

10.1080/02698590220145061

Wigner found unreasonable the "effectiveness of mathematics in the natural sciences". But if the mathematics we use to describe nature is simply a coded expression of our experience then its effectiveness is quite reasonable. Its effectiveness is built into its design. We consider group theory, the logic of symmetry. We examine the premise that symmetry is identity; that group theory encodes our experience of identification. To decide whether group theory describes the world in such an elemental way we catalogue the detailed correspondence between elements of the physical world and elements of the formalism. Providing an unequivocal match between concept and mathematical statement completes the case. It makes effectiveness appear reasonable. The case that symmetry is identity is a strong one but it is not complete. The further validation required suggests that unexpected entities might be describable by the irreducible representations of group theory.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Is symmetry identity? does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Is symmetry identity?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Is symmetry identity? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-186311