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Experiments and Functional Realism
California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA, USA
- 1 California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA, USA
Open Journal of Microphysics·Volume 07 (2018)·Pages 67–84·Published 10 January 2018·DOI10.4236/ojm.2017.74005
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Abstract
This article focuses on interpreting theories when they are functioning in an ongoing investigation. The sustained search for a quark-gluon plasma serves as a prime example. The analysis treats the Standard Model of Particle Physics as an Effective Field Theory. Related effective theories functioning in different energy ranges can have different functional ontologies, or models of the reality treated. A functional ontology supplies a categorial framework that grounds and limits the language used in describing experiments and reporting results. The scope and limitations of such a local functional realism are evaluated.
KeywordsQuark Gluon PlasmaExperimental RealismStandard Model
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