1.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory
The nutshell version of string theory
Some case studies of string explanations
Rejoinders and Conclusion
String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism
Ioan Muntean
Department of Philosophy
Purdue University–Indiana University, Fort Wayne
Philosophy of Science Association Meeting, Montreal,
November 2010
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

2.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Two pathways towards Quantum Gravity (QG)
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

3.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Two pathways towards Quantum Gravity (QG)
1 Find answers (new or right) to perennial philosophical
problems in QG (“Philosophical centrism”)
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

4.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Two pathways towards Quantum Gravity (QG)
1 Find answers (new or right) to perennial philosophical
problems in QG (“Philosophical centrism”)
2 Analyze QG as scientific theories or, better, programs
(“Philosophical analysis”)
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

5.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Two pathways towards Quantum Gravity (QG)
1 Find answers (new or right) to perennial philosophical
problems in QG (“Philosophical centrism”)
2 Analyze QG as scientific theories or, better, programs
(“Philosophical analysis”)
1 ambitious and reformist (integrated in a form of scientism).
Useful for metaphysics
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

6.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Two pathways towards Quantum Gravity (QG)
1 Find answers (new or right) to perennial philosophical
problems in QG (“Philosophical centrism”)
2 Analyze QG as scientific theories or, better, programs
(“Philosophical analysis”)
1 ambitious and reformist (integrated in a form of scientism).
Useful for metaphysics
2 useful in philosophy of science/physics. Can be normative
...
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

7.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
1 Philosophical centrism
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

8.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
1 Philosophical centrism
Most QG programs say something special about our old
metaphysical concepts:
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

9.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
1 Philosophical centrism
Most QG programs say something special about our old
metaphysical concepts:
the nature of spacetime, space or time
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

10.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
1 Philosophical centrism
Most QG programs say something special about our old
metaphysical concepts:
the nature of spacetime, space or time
the measurement problem
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

11.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
1 Philosophical centrism
Most QG programs say something special about our old
metaphysical concepts:
the nature of spacetime, space or time
the measurement problem
the ultimate nature of objects/processes/events in the world
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

12.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
1 Philosophical centrism
Most QG programs say something special about our old
metaphysical concepts:
the nature of spacetime, space or time
the measurement problem
the ultimate nature of objects/processes/events in the world
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

13.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
1 Philosophical centrism
Most QG programs say something special about our old
metaphysical concepts:
the nature of spacetime, space or time
the measurement problem
the ultimate nature of objects/processes/events in the world
Question Q1
Which Quantum Gravity program provides the best answer to the
metaphysical question X?
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

14.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
1 Philosophical centrism
Most QG programs say something special about our old
metaphysical concepts:
the nature of spacetime, space or time
the measurement problem
the ultimate nature of objects/processes/events in the world
Question Q1
Which Quantum Gravity program provides the best answer to the
metaphysical question X?
In most cases, QG are prescriptive in respect of time, space,
quantization etc.
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

15.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
1 Philosophical centrism
Most QG programs say something special about our old
metaphysical concepts:
the nature of spacetime, space or time
the measurement problem
the ultimate nature of objects/processes/events in the world
Question Q1
Which Quantum Gravity program provides the best answer to the
metaphysical question X?
In most cases, QG are prescriptive in respect of time, space,
quantization etc.
???????
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

16.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Philosophers should be doing this!
Sometimes philosophers help with insights in the problem of
space, time, change, dynamics, etc.
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

17.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Philosophers should be doing this!
Sometimes philosophers help with insights in the problem of
space, time, change, dynamics, etc.
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

18.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Philosophers should be doing this!
Sometimes philosophers help with insights in the problem of
space, time, change, dynamics, etc.
“General relativity and quantum field theory are based on
some profound insights about the nature of reality. These
insights are crystallized in the form of mathematics, but
there is a limit to how much progress we can make by
just playing around with this mathematics. We need to
go back to the insights behind general relativity and
quantum field theory, learn to hold them together in our
minds, and dare to imagine a world more strange, more
beautiful, but ultimately more reasonable than our
current theories of it. For this daunting task,
philosophical reflection is bound toTheory:of help.” (J. Baez
Ioan Muntean String
be Explanation and Fundamentalism

19.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
1’. Yet another philosophical centrism
Strengthen an existing metaphysics by interpreting QG
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

20.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
1’. Yet another philosophical centrism
Strengthen an existing metaphysics by interpreting QG
Structural Realism and QG
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

21.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
1’. Yet another philosophical centrism
Strengthen an existing metaphysics by interpreting QG
Structural Realism and QG
Identity and individuation of objects and QG (compare and
contrast with QM and QFT)
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

22.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
1’. Yet another philosophical centrism
Strengthen an existing metaphysics by interpreting QG
Structural Realism and QG
Identity and individuation of objects and QG (compare and
contrast with QM and QFT)
Part-whole relations and QG.
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

23.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
1’. Yet another philosophical centrism
Strengthen an existing metaphysics by interpreting QG
Structural Realism and QG
Identity and individuation of objects and QG (compare and
contrast with QM and QFT)
Part-whole relations and QG.
For Structural Realism and QG see ?
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

24.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
2. Philosophical pathways to QG
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

25.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
2. Philosophical pathways to QG
Which QG program is the best as a scientific endeavor?
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

26.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
2. Philosophical pathways to QG
Which QG program is the best as a scientific endeavor?
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

27.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
2. Philosophical pathways to QG
Which QG program is the best as a scientific endeavor?
Question Q2
Which QG program is the best in respect of a given virtue V?
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

28.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
2. Philosophical pathways to QG
Which QG program is the best as a scientific endeavor?
Question Q2
Which QG program is the best in respect of a given virtue V?
Question Q2’
Which Quantum Gravity program has the drawback D?
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

29.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
2. Philosophical pathways to QG
Which QG program is the best as a scientific endeavor?
Question Q2
Which QG program is the best in respect of a given virtue V?
Question Q2’
Which Quantum Gravity program has the drawback D?
This is discussed by fewer philosophers ???
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

30.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
2. Philosophical pathways to QG
Which QG program is the best as a scientific endeavor?
Question Q2
Which QG program is the best in respect of a given virtue V?
Question Q2’
Which Quantum Gravity program has the drawback D?
This is discussed by fewer philosophers ???
I plan to follow something similar here
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

31.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A narrow scope
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

32.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A narrow scope
I give up the comparative aspects of Q2 and Q2’and focus on
one QG program
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

33.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A narrow scope
I give up the comparative aspects of Q2 and Q2’and focus on
one QG program
Question
Is string theory a successful QG program?
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

34.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A narrow scope
I give up the comparative aspects of Q2 and Q2’and focus on
one QG program
Question
Is string theory a successful QG program?
Dimensions of success of theories:
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

35.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A narrow scope
I give up the comparative aspects of Q2 and Q2’and focus on
one QG program
Question
Is string theory a successful QG program?
Dimensions of success of theories:
1 Empirical confirmation (preferably direct)
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

36.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A narrow scope
I give up the comparative aspects of Q2 and Q2’and focus on
one QG program
Question
Is string theory a successful QG program?
Dimensions of success of theories:
1 Empirical confirmation (preferably direct)
2 Predictive success (preferably novel)
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

37.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A narrow scope
I give up the comparative aspects of Q2 and Q2’and focus on
one QG program
Question
Is string theory a successful QG program?
Dimensions of success of theories:
1 Empirical confirmation (preferably direct)
2 Predictive success (preferably novel)
3 Non-empirical virtues: unification, explanation, elegance,
simplicity
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

38.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A narrow scope
I give up the comparative aspects of Q2 and Q2’and focus on
one QG program
Question
Is string theory a successful QG program?
Dimensions of success of theories:
1 Empirical confirmation (preferably direct)
2 Predictive success (preferably novel)
3 Non-empirical virtues: unification, explanation, elegance,
simplicity
4 Problem solving (preferably real problems), etc.
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

39.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A narrow scope
I give up the comparative aspects of Q2 and Q2’and focus on
one QG program
Question
Is string theory a successful QG program?
Dimensions of success of theories:
1 Empirical confirmation (preferably direct)
2 Predictive success (preferably novel)
3 Non-empirical virtues: unification, explanation, elegance,
simplicity
4 Problem solving (preferably real problems), etc.
5 Fecundity
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

40.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A narrow scope
I give up the comparative aspects of Q2 and Q2’and focus on
one QG program
Question
Is string theory a successful QG program?
Dimensions of success of theories:
1 Empirical confirmation (preferably direct)
2 Predictive success (preferably novel)
3 Non-empirical virtues: unification, explanation, elegance,
simplicity
4 Problem solving (preferably real problems), etc.
5 Fecundity
6 Meshing well with other scientific theories
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

41.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A narrow scope
I give up the comparative aspects of Q2 and Q2’and focus on
one QG program
Question
Is string theory a successful QG program?
Dimensions of success of theories:
1 Empirical confirmation (preferably direct)
2 Predictive success (preferably novel)
3 Non-empirical virtues: unification, explanation, elegance,
simplicity
4 Problem solving (preferably real problems), etc.
5 Fecundity
6 Meshing well with other scientific theories
None of them is necessary and sufficient.
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

42.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A narrow scope
I give up the comparative aspects of Q2 and Q2’and focus on
one QG program
Question
Is string theory a successful QG program?
Dimensions of success of theories:
1 Empirical confirmation (preferably direct)
2 Predictive success (preferably novel)
3 Non-empirical virtues: unification, explanation, elegance,
simplicity
4 Problem solving (preferably real problems), etc.
5 Fecundity
6 Meshing well with other scientific theories
None of them is necessary and sufficient.
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

43.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A narrow scope
I give up the comparative aspects of Q2 and Q2’and focus on
one QG program
Question
Is string theory a successful QG program?
Dimensions of success of theories:
1 Empirical confirmation (preferably direct)
2 Predictive success (preferably novel)
3 Non-empirical virtues: unification, explanation, elegance,
simplicity
4 Problem solving (preferably real problems), etc.
5 Fecundity
6 Meshing well with other scientific theories
None of them is necessary and sufficient.
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

44.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons to . . . love string theory
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

45.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons to . . . love string theory
It solves some problems:
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

46.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons to . . . love string theory
It solves some problems:
the ultraviolet divergences of General Relativity and of
Standard Model.
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

47.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons to . . . love string theory
It solves some problems:
the ultraviolet divergences of General Relativity and of
Standard Model.
no dimensionless free parameters.
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

48.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons to . . . love string theory
It solves some problems:
the ultraviolet divergences of General Relativity and of
Standard Model.
no dimensionless free parameters.
Is the dominant research program in quantum gravity (QG)
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

49.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons to . . . love string theory
It solves some problems:
the ultraviolet divergences of General Relativity and of
Standard Model.
no dimensionless free parameters.
Is the dominant research program in quantum gravity (QG)
Is the (leading?) contender for a theory of everything:
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

50.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons to . . . love string theory
It solves some problems:
the ultraviolet divergences of General Relativity and of
Standard Model.
no dimensionless free parameters.
Is the dominant research program in quantum gravity (QG)
Is the (leading?) contender for a theory of everything:
Advertised as: “a single theory that, in principle is capable of
describing all phenomena” ((?, ix)).
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

51.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons to . . . love string theory
It solves some problems:
the ultraviolet divergences of General Relativity and of
Standard Model.
no dimensionless free parameters.
Is the dominant research program in quantum gravity (QG)
Is the (leading?) contender for a theory of everything:
Advertised as: “a single theory that, in principle is capable of
describing all phenomena” ((?, ix)).
Heavily advertised in popularizing literature, perhaps the best
known quantum gravity program
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

52.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons to . . . love string theory
It solves some problems:
the ultraviolet divergences of General Relativity and of
Standard Model.
no dimensionless free parameters.
Is the dominant research program in quantum gravity (QG)
Is the (leading?) contender for a theory of everything:
Advertised as: “a single theory that, in principle is capable of
describing all phenomena” ((?, ix)).
Heavily advertised in popularizing literature, perhaps the best
known quantum gravity program
Could tell us new stories about the world:
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

53.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons to . . . love string theory
It solves some problems:
the ultraviolet divergences of General Relativity and of
Standard Model.
no dimensionless free parameters.
Is the dominant research program in quantum gravity (QG)
Is the (leading?) contender for a theory of everything:
Advertised as: “a single theory that, in principle is capable of
describing all phenomena” ((?, ix)).
Heavily advertised in popularizing literature, perhaps the best
known quantum gravity program
Could tell us new stories about the world:
can talk evolution of the universe before the Big Bang
(interpreted as a collision of branes)
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

54.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons to . . . love string theory
It solves some problems:
the ultraviolet divergences of General Relativity and of
Standard Model.
no dimensionless free parameters.
Is the dominant research program in quantum gravity (QG)
Is the (leading?) contender for a theory of everything:
Advertised as: “a single theory that, in principle is capable of
describing all phenomena” ((?, ix)).
Heavily advertised in popularizing literature, perhaps the best
known quantum gravity program
Could tell us new stories about the world:
can talk evolution of the universe before the Big Bang
(interpreted as a collision of branes)
explains facts about black holes, dark matter etc.
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

55.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons to . . . love string theory
It solves some problems:
the ultraviolet divergences of General Relativity and of
Standard Model.
no dimensionless free parameters.
Is the dominant research program in quantum gravity (QG)
Is the (leading?) contender for a theory of everything:
Advertised as: “a single theory that, in principle is capable of
describing all phenomena” ((?, ix)).
Heavily advertised in popularizing literature, perhaps the best
known quantum gravity program
Could tell us new stories about the world:
can talk evolution of the universe before the Big Bang
(interpreted as a collision of branes)
explains facts about black holes, dark matter etc.
But these are promises and prospective Explanation and Fundamentalism
Ioan Muntean String Theory:
undertakings

56.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
More reasons to. . . love ST
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

57.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
More reasons to. . . love ST
It is “science in the making”
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

58.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
More reasons to. . . love ST
It is “science in the making”
It is mathematically fertile and can provide “mathematical
predictions” (?)
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

59.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
More reasons to. . . love ST
It is “science in the making”
It is mathematically fertile and can provide “mathematical
predictions” (?)
It is open to interpretive questions (?)
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

60.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
More reasons to. . . love ST
It is “science in the making”
It is mathematically fertile and can provide “mathematical
predictions” (?)
It is open to interpretive questions (?)
As any other QG, it is a fertile middle ground between
philosophy (metaphysics and epistemology) and theoretical
physics
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

61.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Amendments
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

62.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Amendments
String theory does not have the features of a scientific theory
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

63.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Amendments
String theory does not have the features of a scientific theory
Call it a program/direction of research, not a theory
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

64.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Amendments
String theory does not have the features of a scientific theory
Call it a program/direction of research, not a theory
Interpret it as a collection of mathematical models
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

65.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Amendments
String theory does not have the features of a scientific theory
Call it a program/direction of research, not a theory
Interpret it as a collection of mathematical models
1 each model is false and has intentional falsities inserted
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

66.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Amendments
String theory does not have the features of a scientific theory
Call it a program/direction of research, not a theory
Interpret it as a collection of mathematical models
1 each model is false and has intentional falsities inserted
2 the model does not latch onto the world
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

67.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Amendments
String theory does not have the features of a scientific theory
Call it a program/direction of research, not a theory
Interpret it as a collection of mathematical models
1 each model is false and has intentional falsities inserted
2 the model does not latch onto the world
string theory does not explains facts, at least not directly.
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

68.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Amendments
String theory does not have the features of a scientific theory
Call it a program/direction of research, not a theory
Interpret it as a collection of mathematical models
1 each model is false and has intentional falsities inserted
2 the model does not latch onto the world
string theory does not explains facts, at least not directly.
it may predict mathematical facts or even provide
mathematical results
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

69.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons not to. . . love it
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

70.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons not to. . . love it
String theory is a “glorified” QFT (and nothing more)
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

71.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons not to. . . love it
String theory is a “glorified” QFT (and nothing more)
“a chip of the same block” as QFT has its own skeleton in the
closet
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

72.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons not to. . . love it
String theory is a “glorified” QFT (and nothing more)
“a chip of the same block” as QFT has its own skeleton in the
closet
String theory:
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

73.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons not to. . . love it
String theory is a “glorified” QFT (and nothing more)
“a chip of the same block” as QFT has its own skeleton in the
closet
String theory:
is background dependent (Smolin, Rovelli, Penrose)
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

74.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons not to. . . love it
String theory is a “glorified” QFT (and nothing more)
“a chip of the same block” as QFT has its own skeleton in the
closet
String theory:
is background dependent (Smolin, Rovelli, Penrose)
does not seem to address deep philosophical issues (?)
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

75.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons not to. . . love it
String theory is a “glorified” QFT (and nothing more)
“a chip of the same block” as QFT has its own skeleton in the
closet
String theory:
is background dependent (Smolin, Rovelli, Penrose)
does not seem to address deep philosophical issues (?)
never solved or addressed the measurement problem
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

76.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons not to. . . love it
String theory is a “glorified” QFT (and nothing more)
“a chip of the same block” as QFT has its own skeleton in the
closet
String theory:
is background dependent (Smolin, Rovelli, Penrose)
does not seem to address deep philosophical issues (?)
never solved or addressed the measurement problem
All known string theories are perturbation theories
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

77.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
Some reasons not to. . . love it
String theory is a “glorified” QFT (and nothing more)
“a chip of the same block” as QFT has its own skeleton in the
closet
String theory:
is background dependent (Smolin, Rovelli, Penrose)
does not seem to address deep philosophical issues (?)
never solved or addressed the measurement problem
All known string theories are perturbation theories
String solutions are unstable (?)
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

78.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A reason to hate it: background dependency
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

79.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A reason to hate it: background dependency
ST presupposes a spacetime background and by this it defies
general relativity (???)
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

80.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A reason to hate it: background dependency
ST presupposes a spacetime background and by this it defies
general relativity (???)
Philosophers do not like this dependency either (See
Introduction to ?)
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

81.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A reason to hate it: background dependency
ST presupposes a spacetime background and by this it defies
general relativity (???)
Philosophers do not like this dependency either (See
Introduction to ?)
So does QFT, it involves a fixed spacetime geometry (a
priori?)
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

82.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A reason to hate it: background dependency
ST presupposes a spacetime background and by this it defies
general relativity (???)
Philosophers do not like this dependency either (See
Introduction to ?)
So does QFT, it involves a fixed spacetime geometry (a
priori?)
But this is against the very principle of general relativity.
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

83.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A reason to hate it: background dependency
ST presupposes a spacetime background and by this it defies
general relativity (???)
Philosophers do not like this dependency either (See
Introduction to ?)
So does QFT, it involves a fixed spacetime geometry (a
priori?)
But this is against the very principle of general relativity.
In String Theory geometry is not dynamical anymore.
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

84.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
A reason to hate it: background dependency
ST presupposes a spacetime background and by this it defies
general relativity (???)
Philosophers do not like this dependency either (See
Introduction to ?)
So does QFT, it involves a fixed spacetime geometry (a
priori?)
But this is against the very principle of general relativity.
In String Theory geometry is not dynamical anymore.
It is like the “unmoved mover” or the ether.
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

85.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity programs
Explanation and string theory Two stances
The nutshell version of string theory Philosophy of Science and String Theory
Some case studies of string explanations String metaphysics?
Rejoinders and Conclusion
The prodigal ST
Ioan Muntean String Theory: Explanation and Fundamentalism

86.
Philosophy and Quantum Gravity prog