The Higgs field and the aether

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the proposed Higgs field and its comparison to the historical concept of aether. Participants explore the similarities and differences between these two ideas, focusing on their implications in physics and the nature of fields in general.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that the Higgs field is described as permeating all space, similar to the classical aether, and questions their commonalities and differences.
  • Another participant argues that while both are termed "field," the Higgs field is a quantum field that is Lorentz-invariant, distinguishing it from the classical notion of aether.
  • A participant emphasizes that every elementary particle has an associated field, not just the Higgs, suggesting a broader context for understanding fields in physics.
  • It is mentioned that even standard magnetic fields share properties with the Higgs field, implying that accepting one does not necessarily lead to philosophical issues regarding the other.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between the Higgs field and aether. While some acknowledge similarities in terminology, others emphasize fundamental differences in their theoretical foundations, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion touches on the philosophical implications of fields in physics and the historical context of the aether concept, but does not resolve the complexities involved in comparing these ideas.

DaveHump3
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I have just watched a video by Professor Brian Cox. In it he describes the proposed Higgs field. If it exists, it is thought that this field permeates all space among other attributes.
When I heard this, it struck a familiar chord. It sounded almost identicle to the description of the aether, which the 19th century physicists also believed permeated all space.
My question therefore is what, if anything, do the proposed Higgs field and the old idea of the aether have in common? Or what are their important differences?
 
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My question therefore is what, if anything, do the proposed Higgs field and the old idea of the aether have in common?
They are both called "field". But apart from that... probably not. The higgs field is a field in quantum field theory, which is Lorentz-invariant by construction and therefore does not have the classical aether.
 
Every elementary particle has a field not just Higgs.
 
Dead Boss said:
Every elementary particle has a field not just Higgs.

To drive the point home, just a standard run of the mill magnetic field has the same properties. So if you're OK with magnetic fields, there's really nothing more philosophically disturbing about the Higgs field.
 

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