Book contents
- Conceptual Developments of 20th Century Field Theories
- Reviews of the first edition
- Conceptual Developments of 20th Century Field Theories
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface to the Revised Edition
- Preface to the First Edition
- 1 Introduction
- 2 The Rise of Classical Field Theory
- Part I The Geometrical Programme for Fundamental Interactions
- Part II The Quantum Field Programme for Fundamental Interactions
- 6 The Rise of Quantum Theory
- 7 The Formation of the Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Field Theory
- 8 The Quantum Field Programme
- Part III The Gauge Field Programme for Fundamental Interactions
- Appendices
- References
- Name Index
- Subject Index
7 - The Formation of the Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Field Theory
from Part II - The Quantum Field Programme for Fundamental Interactions
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 October 2019
- Conceptual Developments of 20th Century Field Theories
- Reviews of the first edition
- Conceptual Developments of 20th Century Field Theories
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface to the Revised Edition
- Preface to the First Edition
- 1 Introduction
- 2 The Rise of Classical Field Theory
- Part I The Geometrical Programme for Fundamental Interactions
- Part II The Quantum Field Programme for Fundamental Interactions
- 6 The Rise of Quantum Theory
- 7 The Formation of the Conceptual Foundations of Quantum Field Theory
- 8 The Quantum Field Programme
- Part III The Gauge Field Programme for Fundamental Interactions
- Appendices
- References
- Name Index
- Subject Index
Summary
Quantum field theory (QFT) can be analyzed in terms of its mathematical structure, its conceptual scheme, or its basic ontology. The analysis can be done logically or historically. In this chapter, only the genesis of the conceptual foundations of QFT relevant to its basic ontology will be treated carefully; no detailed discussion of its mathematical structures or its epistemological underpinnings will be given. Some conceptual problems, such as those related to probability and measurement, will be discussed, but only because of their relevance to the basic ontology of QFT, rather than their intrinsic philosophical interest.
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- Conceptual Developments of 20th Century Field Theories , pp. 125 - 183Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2019