Symmetry, Structure, and Spacetime [Hardcover]

In this book Rickles considers several interpretative difficulties raised by gauge-type symmetries (those that correspond to no change in physical state). The ubiquity of such symmetries in modern physics renders them an urgent topic in philosophy of physics. Rickles focuses on spacetime physics, and in particular classical and quantum general relativity. Here the problems posed are at their most pathological, involving the apparent disappearance of spacetime! Rickles argues that both traditional ontological positions should be replaced by a structuralist account according to which relational structure is what the physics is about.

? Unified treatment of gauge symmetries and their relationship to ontology in physics
? Brings philosophy of space and time into step with developments in modern physics
? Argues against the received view on the implications of symmetries in physics
? Provides elementary treatments of technical issues
? Illustrates a novel defense of structuralism1 Interpretation and Formalism
2 Space and Time in the Leibniz-Clarke Debate
3 The Interpretation of Gauge Symmetries
4 Spacetime in General Relativity
5 Responding to the Hole Problem
6 What is an Observable In General Relativity?
7 Time, Change, and Gauge
8 Symmetry and Ontology
9 Structuralism and SymmetryWhat is physics about? The existence of gauge symmetry in physical theories spoils a nice simple answer to this question since it leads to multiple interpretive options depending on how the symmetry is dealt with. The ubiquity of such symmetries in modern physics makes their ontological implications an urgent matter for philosophers of physics. In this book Dean Rickles argues against the orthodox wisdom about what these implications are. In particular, it is argued that the methods of dealing with the symmetries to not correspond to traditional ontological divisions,lsj