A Philosophical Approach to Quantum Field Theory

by Hans Christian Öttinger

This text presents an intuitive and robust mathematical image of fundamental particle physics based on a novel approach to quantum field theory, which is guided by four carefully motivated metaphysical postulates. In particular, the book explores a dissipative approach to quantum field theory, which is illustrated for scalar field theory and quantum electrodynamics, and proposes an attractive explanation of the Planck scale in quantum gravity. Offering a radically new perspective on this topic, the book focuses on the conceptual foundations of quantum field theory and ontological questions. It also suggests a new stochastic simulation technique in quantum field theory which is complementary to existing ones. Encouraging rigor in a field containing many mathematical subtleties and pitfalls this text is a helpful companion for students of physics and philosophers interested in quantum field theory, and it allows readers to gain an intuitive rather than a formal understanding.

Genres: Physics, Philosophy, Science, Nonfiction

270 pages, Hardcover

Published January 11, 2018

Reviews

[G.R. Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

The other day I was at a party and I got talking to some philosophy professor. I asked him if he was interested in the nature of reality and he said of course, it's what they do.

So I asked him what his take was on the foundations of QFT and if he'd read Hans's new monograph, and he gave me a blank look. As usual.

I have to stop doing this, it's not nice.

[Jovany Agathe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thats not an easy read.