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(2018) Synthese 195 (11).
Idealizations, essential self-adjointness, and minimal model explanation in the Aharonov–Bohm effect
Elay Shech
pp. 4839-4863
Two approaches to understanding the idealizations that arise in the Aharonov–Bohm (AB) effect are presented. It is argued that a common topological approach, which takes the non-simply connected electron configuration space to be an essential element in the explanation and understanding of the effect, is flawed. An alternative approach is outlined. Consequently, it is shown that the existence and uniqueness of self-adjoint extensions of symmetric operators in quantum mechanics have important implications for philosophical issues. Also, the alleged indispensable explanatory role of said idealizations is examined via a minimal model explanatory scheme. Last, the idealizations involved in the AB effect are placed in a wider philosophical context via a short survey of part of the literature on infinite and essential idealizations.
Publication details
DOI: 10.1007/s11229-017-1428-6
Full citation:
Shech, E. (2018). Idealizations, essential self-adjointness, and minimal model explanation in the Aharonov–Bohm effect. Synthese 195 (11), pp. 4839-4863.
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