Abstract
I conceptualise the role of dualities in quantum gravity, in terms of their functions for theory construction. I distinguish between two functions of duality in physical practice: namely, discovering and describing ‘equivalent physics’, versus suggesting ‘new physics’. I dub these the ‘theoretical’ versus the ‘heuristic’ functions of dualities. The distinction seems to have gone largely unnoticed in the philosophical literature: and it exists both for dualities, and for the more general relation of theoretical equivalence. The paper develops the heuristic function of dualities: illustrating how they can be used, if one has any luck, to find and formulate new theories. I also point to the different physical commitments about the theories in question that underlie these two functions. I show how a recently developed schema for dualities articulates the differences between the two functions.
Highlights
There is a use of duality and of theoretical equivalence that seems to have gone largely unnoticed in most of the literature, and on which this paper aims to zoom in: it is the distinction between what I shall call the theoretical versus the heuristic functions of both dualities and of theoretical equivalence (Sect. 4)
3 Tools for theory construction This paper develops the heuristic function of dualities in constructing new theories of quantum gravity
Whenever general, and more or less mechanical, rules are involved in theory construction, I will take the corresponding use of the tool to belong to the theoretical function, as discussed in Sect. 3.2, rather than to the heuristic function
Summary
There is a use of duality and of theoretical equivalence that seems to have gone largely unnoticed in most of the literature, and on which this paper aims to zoom in: it is the distinction between what I shall call the theoretical versus the heuristic functions of both dualities and of theoretical equivalence (Sect. 4). By applying the schema for dualities from De Haro (2016) and De Haro and Butterfield (2017) to the heuristic function of duality, the paper aims to shed light on the practical use of duality and theoretical equivalence to construct new theories out of approximately dual models— which is the task of the heuristic function of dualities (Sect. 5). : the distinction between the theoretical and the heuristic functions is this: on the one hand, dualities describe equivalent theories (i.e. they make new connexions between the physics described by different-looking, but given, theories, e.g. by describing the common core that is shared between two theories). They assume we have almost complete control over those theories, so that duality conjectures can be used to develop a theory that describes the common core.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
