Some Problems concerning Language and Physics

We discuss three problems concerning the use of formal languages in theoretical physics: (i) the definability of time and spacetime in classical physical theories; (ii) how to cope with indistinguishable elementary particles in quantum mechanics without labeling them; and (iii) how to get a formal p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Synthese (Dordrecht) 2007-02, Vol.154 (3), p.467-484
Main Authors: Sant'Anna, Adonai S., Guerrer, Gabriel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied mathematics
Atoms & subatomic particles
Axioms
Epistemology. Philosophy of science. Theory of knowledge
Formal languages
Function words
Language
Logic
Mathematical problems
Mathematical set theory
Mathematical sets
Philosophy
Physical theory
Physics
Quantum field theory
Quantum mechanics
Quantum physics
Quantum states
Quantum statistics
Quantum theory
Set theory
Spacetime
Theoretical physics
Theory of relativity
Thermodynamics
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Description
Summary:We discuss three problems concerning the use of formal languages in theoretical physics: (i) the definability of time and spacetime in classical physical theories; (ii) how to cope with indistinguishable elementary particles in quantum mechanics without labeling them; and (iii) how to get a formal picture of quantum states jumping.
ISSN:0039-7857
1573-0964
DOI:10.1007/s11229-006-9129-6