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It has been recently pointed out (on this list and elsewhere, eg.,
http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1204/1204.4616.pdf) that Quantum
Field Theory (QFT) has dissolved the particle/field question in favor
of fields: "There are only fields."
I am hastening to the conclusion that there are not even fields!
The fields of QFT are OPERATORS. The system state is an abstract
vector in Hilbert (Fock?) space - not described by a field - only by
a "bra or ket", just a label. The field operators describe
INTERACTIONS by which the Hilbert states evolve.
IMHO all of this is a useful CALCULATIONAL MODEL, and does little or
nothing to identify a model for the ontological reality (particle,
field, wave or whatever) behind the entity being described. Perhaps
there is no useful CONCEPTUAL MODEL to describe ultimate reality in
human terms - and perhaps there is really no need for one.
I welcome comments.
The fields of QFT are OPERATORS.
Perhaps there is no useful CONCEPTUAL MODEL to describe ultimate
reality in human terms - and perhaps there is really no need for
one.