Gomes, Henrique, Roberts, Bryan W. 
ORCID: 0000-0003-0548-1280 and Butterfield, Jeremy
(2022)
The gauge argument: a Noether reason.
In: Read, James and Teh, Nicholas J., (eds.)
The Philosophy and Physics of Noether’s Theorems: A Centenary Volume.
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 354 - 376.
ISBN 9781108486231
Abstract
Why is gauge symmetry so important in modern physics, given that one must eliminate it when interpreting what the theory represents? This chapter offers a discussion of the sense in which gauge symmetry can be fruitfully applied to constrain the space of possible dynamical models in such a way that forces and charges are appropriately coupled. It reviews the most well-known application of this kind, known as the ‘gauge argument’ or ‘gauge principle’; discusses its difficulties, and then reconstructs the gauge argument as a valid theorem in quantum theory. The chapter then presents what the authors take to be a better and more general gauge argument, based on Noether’s second theorem in classical Lagrangian field theory, and argues that this provides a more appropriate framework for understanding how gauge symmetry helps to constrain the dynamics of physical theories.
| Item Type: | Book Section |
|---|---|
| Official URL: | https://www.cambridge.org/gb/universitypress/subje... |
| Additional Information: | © 2022 Cambridge University Press & Assessment |
| Divisions: | Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method |
| Subjects: | B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > B Philosophy (General) |
| Date Deposited: | 27 Aug 2024 16:03 |
| Last Modified: | 25 Oct 2025 21:51 |
| URI: | http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/124685 |
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