Work

The Open System View and the Metaphysics of Symmetries

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Philosophers have been drawing their attention to the metaphysics of symmetries. Most have taken a Closed System View, that is, the metaphysical assumption that closed systems are ontologically fundamental. In this article, I explore the consequences of adopting a different perspective, the Open System View, according to which open systems are regarded as ontologically fundamental. I argue that by doing so, our metaphysical understanding of symmetries changes substantially in three respects: Epistemic approaches are favored, ontic approaches should change the set of physical symmetries regarded as fundamental, and the metaphysical connection between conservation principles and symmetries is weaker than thought.

Source: Philosophy of Science

DOI: 10.1017/psa.2025.10129

Author: Cristian Ariel López

Institutions: Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Swiss National Science Foundation, University of Lausanne

Language: English

Topic: Philosophy and History of Science

Subfield: History and Philosophy of Science

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,550

Funders: National Science Foundation, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Université de Lausanne