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description Publicationkeyboard_double_arrow_right Article , Presentation , Other literature type 2010 Canada, United KingdomUniversity of Chicago Press Authors: Greaves, H;Greaves, H;doi: 10.1093/bjps/axp004
The CPT theorem of quantum field theory states that any relativistic (Lorentz-invariant) quantum field theory must also be invariant under CPT, the composition of charge conjugation, parity reversal and time reversal. This paper sketches a puzzle that seems to arise when one puts the existence of this sort of theorem alongside a standard way of thinking about symmetries, according to which *spacetime* symmetries (at any rate) are associated with features of the spacetime structure. The puzzle is, roughly, that the existence of a CPT theorem seems to show that it is not possible for a well-formulated theory that does not make use of a preferred frame or foliation to make use of a temporal orientation. Since a manifold with only a Lorentzian metric can be temporally orientable --- capable of admitting a temporal orientation --- this seems to be an odd sort of necessary connection between distinct existences. The paper then suggests a solution to the puzzle: it is suggested that the CPT theorem arises because temporal orientation is unlike other pieces of spacetime structure, in that one cannot represent it by a tensor field. To avoid irrelevant technical details, the discussion is carried out in the setting of classical (rather than quantum) field theory, using a little-known classical analog of the CPT theorem.
Scholarship@Western arrow_drop_down Oxford University Research ArchiveOther literature type . 2016Data sources: Oxford University Research ArchiveThe British Journal for the Philosophy of ScienceArticle . 2010Data sources: Oxford University Research Archiveadd ClaimPlease grant OpenAIRE to access and update your ORCID works.This Research product is the result of merged Research products in OpenAIRE.
You have already added works in your ORCID record related to the merged Research product.This Research product is the result of merged Research products in OpenAIRE.
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For further information contact us at helpdesk@openaire.eu8 citations 8 popularity Average influence Average impulse Average Powered by BIP!more_vert Scholarship@Western arrow_drop_down Oxford University Research ArchiveOther literature type . 2016Data sources: Oxford University Research ArchiveThe British Journal for the Philosophy of ScienceArticle . 2010Data sources: Oxford University Research Archiveadd ClaimPlease grant OpenAIRE to access and update your ORCID works.This Research product is the result of merged Research products in OpenAIRE.
You have already added works in your ORCID record related to the merged Research product.This Research product is the result of merged Research products in OpenAIRE.
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description Publicationkeyboard_double_arrow_right Article , Presentation , Other literature type 2010 Canada, United KingdomUniversity of Chicago Press Authors: Greaves, H;Greaves, H;doi: 10.1093/bjps/axp004
The CPT theorem of quantum field theory states that any relativistic (Lorentz-invariant) quantum field theory must also be invariant under CPT, the composition of charge conjugation, parity reversal and time reversal. This paper sketches a puzzle that seems to arise when one puts the existence of this sort of theorem alongside a standard way of thinking about symmetries, according to which *spacetime* symmetries (at any rate) are associated with features of the spacetime structure. The puzzle is, roughly, that the existence of a CPT theorem seems to show that it is not possible for a well-formulated theory that does not make use of a preferred frame or foliation to make use of a temporal orientation. Since a manifold with only a Lorentzian metric can be temporally orientable --- capable of admitting a temporal orientation --- this seems to be an odd sort of necessary connection between distinct existences. The paper then suggests a solution to the puzzle: it is suggested that the CPT theorem arises because temporal orientation is unlike other pieces of spacetime structure, in that one cannot represent it by a tensor field. To avoid irrelevant technical details, the discussion is carried out in the setting of classical (rather than quantum) field theory, using a little-known classical analog of the CPT theorem.
Scholarship@Western arrow_drop_down Oxford University Research ArchiveOther literature type . 2016Data sources: Oxford University Research ArchiveThe British Journal for the Philosophy of ScienceArticle . 2010Data sources: Oxford University Research Archiveadd ClaimPlease grant OpenAIRE to access and update your ORCID works.This Research product is the result of merged Research products in OpenAIRE.
You have already added works in your ORCID record related to the merged Research product.This Research product is the result of merged Research products in OpenAIRE.
You have already added works in your ORCID record related to the merged Research product.All Research productsarrow_drop_down <script type="text/javascript"> <!-- document.write('<div id="oa_widget"></div>'); document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.openaire.eu/index.php?option=com_openaire&view=widget&format=raw&projectId=10.1093/bjps/axp004&type=result"></script>'); --> </script>
For further information contact us at helpdesk@openaire.eu8 citations 8 popularity Average influence Average impulse Average Powered by BIP!more_vert Scholarship@Western arrow_drop_down Oxford University Research ArchiveOther literature type . 2016Data sources: Oxford University Research ArchiveThe British Journal for the Philosophy of ScienceArticle . 2010Data sources: Oxford University Research Archiveadd ClaimPlease grant OpenAIRE to access and update your ORCID works.This Research product is the result of merged Research products in OpenAIRE.
You have already added works in your ORCID record related to the merged Research product.This Research product is the result of merged Research products in OpenAIRE.
You have already added works in your ORCID record related to the merged Research product.All Research productsarrow_drop_down <script type="text/javascript"> <!-- document.write('<div id="oa_widget"></div>'); document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.openaire.eu/index.php?option=com_openaire&view=widget&format=raw&projectId=10.1093/bjps/axp004&type=result"></script>'); --> </script>
For further information contact us at helpdesk@openaire.eu