QFT Book Quote: Looking for Source

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SUMMARY

The quote "in field theory one learns humility" is attributed to G. Scharf in the book "Finite Quantum Electrodynamics: The Causal Approach," published by Springer in 1995. This text discusses the limitations of detailed descriptions in relativistic quantum systems, emphasizing the importance of scattering theory due to the unobservable time behavior of such systems. The discussion confirms that the source of the quote is indeed Scharf's work, providing clarity to those searching for its origin.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum field theory concepts
  • Familiarity with scattering theory
  • Knowledge of relativistic quantum mechanics
  • Basic grasp of particle creation and annihilation processes
NEXT STEPS
  • Read "Finite Quantum Electrodynamics: The Causal Approach" by G. Scharf
  • Explore advanced topics in scattering theory
  • Study the principles of relativistic quantum mechanics
  • Investigate the implications of particle creation and annihilation in field theory
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in theoretical physics, particularly those focusing on quantum field theory and scattering processes, will benefit from this discussion.

DarMM
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This seems like the best place to ask this.

There is a famous QFT textbook that contains a line like "in field theory one learns humility".

Does anybody happen to know what textbook this is?
 
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Perhaps this one:

"The more one thinks about this situation, the more one is led to the conclusion that one should not insist on a detailed description of the system in time. From the physical point of view, this is not so surprising, because in contrast to non-relativistic quantum mechanics, the time behavior of a relativistic system with creation and annihilation of particles is unobservable. Essentially only scattering experiments are possible, therefore we retreat to scattering theory. One learns modesty in field theory."
G. Scharf, Finite quantum electrodynamics. The causal approach, (Springer, Berlin, 1995)
 
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Thanks! That was driving me mad!
 

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