A Theoretical Study of the Conceptual, Mathematical, and Explanatory Interconnections at the Foundations of Classical Field Theories

概述本STS学者奖旨在支持物理学概念基础项目的研究。关于物理理论的基本假设的标准观点是，它们是关于空间、时间、物质及其相互作用的性质的独立断言。由首席研究员（PI）提出的另一种假设认为，物理理论最好被理解为一个相互依存的原则和假设的网络。本研究将著重于经典场论的中心原理，尤其是万有引力理论。这些原理包括守恒原理、能量条件和场方程。虽然众所周知，经典场论的一些原理可以从其他原理推导出来，但这种相互推导性无处不在（或几乎如此），并且这对理解物理理论的基础至关重要的观点是新颖的主张。系统地探索这些相互联系的建议也是新颖的。如果PI的另一种假设是正确的，那么我们最好的物理理论的基本假设就会以以前没有被系统认识到的方式相互支持和制约；在这种情况下，理解这些相互联系对于充分说明这些理论的哲学和数学基础至关重要。验证这一假设将涉及经典场论的数学基础上的新技术工作，以及对新的和先前已知结果的概念和哲学分析。结果将在物理和数学期刊以及哲学期刊上发表，并将形成关于经典场论基础的专著的基础。更广泛的影响PI还将探索一般科学哲学主题的含义，包括解释和理论变化，前提是假设被证明是正确的。此外，可以预期，该假设可以更广泛地适用于量子理论，或许还可以更广泛地适用于科学理论。此外，拟议的项目将把研究与研究生教育结合起来。该项目包括许多小的、定义明确的问题，这些问题将为研究生提供合作工作的机会。这些合作将成为发展和实施研究生教育混合模式的基础，借鉴哲学和理论物理学的教育传统，促进来自服务不足群体的早期研究生更广泛地参与研究。为此，PI将与致力于增加哲学和科学多样性的现有组织合作，例如旨在改善哲学领域女性的保留和招聘的Hypatia。

OverviewThis STS Scholars Award is to support research on a project in the conceptual foundations of physics. The standard view concerning the fundamental postulates of a physical theory is that they are independent assertions about the nature of space, time, matter, and their mutual interactions. The proposed alternative hypothesis to be examined by the principal investigator (PI) holds that physical theories are better understood as a network of mutually inter-dependent principles and assumptions. The proposed study will focus on the central principles of classical field theories, particularly theories of gravitation. Those principles include conservation principles, energy conditions, and field equations.Intellectual MeritWhile it well known that some principles of classical field theories may be derived from others, the idea that this inter-derivability is ubiquitous (or nearly so) and that this is essential to understanding the foundations of physical theories are novel claims. Also novel is the proposal to systematically explore these interconnections. If the alternative hypothesis of the PI is correct, then the basic postulates of our best physical theories are mutually supporting and constraining in ways that have not previously been systematically recognized; in that case, understanding these interconnections is essential to a full account of the philosophical and mathematical foundations of these theories. Testing the hypothesis will involve new technical work in the mathematical foundations of classical field theories as well as conceptual and philosophical analysis of both new and previously known results. Results will be communicated in physics and mathematics journals as well as philosophy journals, and will form the basis of a monograph on the foundations of classical field theory.Broader ImpactsThe PI will also explore the implications for topics in general philosophy of science, including explanation and theory change, provided that the hypothesis turns out to be correct. In addition, it would be expected that the hypothesis applies more broadly to include quantum theories and perhaps scientific theories more generally. In addition, the proposed project will integrate research with graduate education. The project includes many small, well-defined problems that will provide opportunities for collaborative work with graduate students. These collaborations will form the basis for the development and implementation of a hybrid model of graduate education, drawing from education traditions in philosophy and in theoretical physics, to facilitate broader participation in research by early graduate students from under-served groups. To that end, the PI will partner with existing organizations that are working to increase diversity in philosophy and the sciences such as Hypatia, which aims to improve retention and recruitment of women in philosophy.