David Baker, “The Epiphenomena Argument for Symmetry-to-Reality Inference”
Channel: CEFISES at UCLouvain
Date: 2023-08-08

David Baker, "The Epiphenomena Argument for Symmetry-to-Reality Inference" - Respondent: David Wallace

Abstract: A new argument is given for the thesis that only symmetry-invariant physical quantities are real. Non-invariant quantities are dynamically epiphenomenal in that they have no effect on the evolution of invariant quantities, and it is a significant theoretical vice to posit epiphenomenal quantities. This view fits within the more general “redundancy” approach to symmetry and equivalence; I answer objections to that approach raised by Dasgupta.