Why Is There Universal Macro-Behavior? Renormalization Group Explanation As Non-causal Explanation.

Reutlinger, Alexander (2013): Why Is There Universal Macro-Behavior? Renormalization Group Explanation As Non-causal Explanation. In: Philosophy of Science

Abstract

Renormalization group (RG) methods are an established strategy to explain how it is possible that microscopically different systems exhibit virtually the same macro behavior when undergoing phase-transitions. I argue – in agreement with Robert Batterman – that RG explanations are non-causal explanations. However, Batterman misidentifies the reason why RG explanations are non-causal: it is not the case that an explanation is non- causal if it ignores causal details. I propose an alternative argument, according to which RG explanations are non-causal explanations because their explanatory power is due to the application mathematical operations, which do not serve the purpose of representing causal relations.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Form of publication: Preprint
• Keywords: Scientific explanation, Multiple realization, Universality, Renormalization group explanation, Statistical physics
• Faculties: Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Religious Science > Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy (MCMP); Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Religious Science > Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy (MCMP) > Philosophy of Science
• Subjects: 100 Philosophy and Psychology > 100 Philosophy
• Language: English