Speaker
Description
Consistency is the most basic principle that constrains any theory, whether physical or philosophical. This principle comes in various forms, including: internal consistency, external consistency, and empirical consistency. It also underlies the generalised correspondence principle in physics. Now, consistency is heavily relied upon in the search for a new theory: quantum gravity (QG). Arguably, the primary motivation for QG is to find a theory that consistently combines our current theories of fundamental physics, GR and QFT, and describes the domains where both these theories are thought necessary. Additionally, there are perceived inconsistencies within GR and QFT which many physicists take to indicate that these are not in fact fundamental theories, and thus also motivate the search for QG. The goal of consistency also underpins some of the most basic constraints upon the theory being sought. I explore the role of inconsistencies in motivating and constraining QG, as well as the status of consistency as a principle more generally.