The Quantum Field Theory on Which the Everyday World Supervenes

TL;DR

Effective Field Theory provides a framework that delineates the domain of applicability for physical models, supporting the confidence that the laws of physics are fully known within the regimes relevant to everyday phenomena.

Contribution

The paper argues that EFT's domain-specific nature allows us to be confident in the completeness of physical laws for everyday life based on current tests.

Findings

EFT models specify their applicability domains.

The Core Theory has been tested across all relevant energy scales.

We can be confident in the laws of physics for everyday phenomena.

Abstract

Effective Field Theory (EFT) is the successful paradigm underlying modern theoretical physics, including the "Core Theory" of the Standard Model of particle physics plus Einstein's general relativity. I will argue that EFT grants us a unique insight: each EFT model comes with a built-in specification of its domain of applicability. Hence, once a model is tested within some domain (of energies and interaction strengths), we can be confident that it will continue to be accurate within that domain. Currently, the Core Theory has been tested in regimes that include all of the energy scales relevant to the physics of everyday life (biology, chemistry, technology, etc.). Therefore, we have reason to be confident that the laws of physics underlying the phenomena of everyday life are completely known.