2003/01/19 by Katherine Brading, Brading, Katherine, Elena Castellani +1
Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #History and Philosophy of Physics (physics.hist-ph) #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #Quantum Physics (quant-ph) #Relativity and Gravitational Theory #physics.hist-ph #quant-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.quant-ph/0301097
16 pages. To appear in K. Brading and E. Castellani (eds.), "Symmetries in Physics: Philosophical Reflections", Cambridge University Press, 2003
arxiv created 2003/01/19 · openalex publication_date 2003/01/19 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
This is the introductive paper to the volume "Symmetries in Physics: Philosophical Reflections", Cambridge University Press, 2003. We begin with a brief description of the historical roots and emergence of the concept of symmetry that is at work in modern physics. Then, in section 2, we mention the different varieties of symmetry that fall under this general umbrella, outlining the ways in which they were introduced into physics. We also distinguish between two different uses of symmetry: symmetry principles versus symmetry arguments. In section 3 we make some remarks of a general nature concerning the status and significance of symmetries in physics. Finally, in section 4, we outline the structure of the book and the contents of each part.