Whence the Effectiveness of Effective Field Theories?

TY - JOUR

T1 - Whence the Effectiveness of Effective Field Theories?

AU - Franklin, Alexander

PY - 2020/12

Y1 - 2020/12

N2 - Effective Quantum Field Theories (EFTs) are effective insofar as they apply within a prescribed range of length-scales, but within that range they predict and describe with extremely high accuracy and precision. The effectiveness of EFTs is explained by identifying the features – the scaling behaviour of the parameters – which lead to effectiveness. The explanation relies on distinguishing autonomy with respect to changes in microstates (autonomyms), from autonomy with respect to changes in microlaws (autonomyml), and relating these, respectively, to renormalisability and naturalness. It is claimed that the effectiveness of EFTs is a consequence of each theory’s autonomyms rather than its autonomyml. 

AB - Effective Quantum Field Theories (EFTs) are effective insofar as they apply within a prescribed range of length-scales, but within that range they predict and describe with extremely high accuracy and precision. The effectiveness of EFTs is explained by identifying the features – the scaling behaviour of the parameters – which lead to effectiveness. The explanation relies on distinguishing autonomy with respect to changes in microstates (autonomyms), from autonomy with respect to changes in microlaws (autonomyml), and relating these, respectively, to renormalisability and naturalness. It is claimed that the effectiveness of EFTs is a consequence of each theory’s autonomyms rather than its autonomyml. 

U2 - 10.1093/bjps/axy050

DO - 10.1093/bjps/axy050

M3 - Article

SN - 0007-0882

VL - 71

SP - 1235

EP - 1259

JO - BRITISH JOURNAL FOR THE PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

JF - BRITISH JOURNAL FOR THE PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

IS - 4

M1 - axy050

ER -