Emergence in effective field theories

Abstract

This essay considers the extent to which a concept of emergence can be associated with Effective Field Theories (EFTs). I suggest that such a concept can be characterized by microphysicalism and novelty underwritten by the elimination of degrees of freedom from a high-energy theory, and argue that this makes emergence in EFTs distinct from other concepts of emergence in physics that have appeared in the recent philosophical literature. 1. Introduction. 2. EFTs and the Elimination of Degrees of Freedom. 3. An Interpretation of EFTs. 4. Emergence in EFTs. 5. Other Notions of Emergence. 6. Conclusion.

Reduction and emergence in the fractional quantum Hall state

“…A distinct, but related approach to E2 emergence is suggested by Bain (Bain 2012, also see Jessica Wilson 2010 for another DOF approach). Bain considers the role effective field theories (EFTs) play in condensed matter physics and other areas.…”

Decoupling emergence and reduction in physics

“…This recognition forms the basis of both Zhang's (2004) and Bain's (2013b) conceptions of emergence in EFT.…”

A new look at emergence. Or when after is different

“…2 To see this, suffice it to draw the attention on the fact that most of the empirically-informed accounts of emergence taking shape within the context of the natural sciences are developed in an essentially diachronic fashion (see table 2 Without formulating any hypothesis about the reasons of such a discrepancy between both communities of philosophers in the way they make use of emergence, it has to be noted that synchronic emergence is often claimed to be the only "genuine" kind of emergence, diachronic emergence being simply dismissed as a recent proposal that deviates too much from the "classical conception", which is usually traced back to Broad (1925)'s synchronic account (see Kim 1999, p. 20;or Kim 2006, p. 555).…”