In Defense of Truth: Skepticism, Morality, and The Matrix

The Matrix exposes us to the uncomfortable worries of philosophical skepticism in an especially compelling way. However, with a bit more reflection, we can see why we need not share the skeptic’s doubts about the existence of the world. Such doubts are appropriate only in the very special context of the philosophical seminar. When we return to normal life we see immediately that they are groundless. Furthermore, we see also the drastic mistake that Cypher commits in turning his back upon reality and re-entering the matrix. Not only does reason compel us to admit the existence of the external world, it also requires us to face this world, to build for ourselves meaningful lives within it, and to engage, as adults, in the serious business of living

Large Gauge Ward Identity

We study the question of the Ward identity for "large" gauge invariance in 0+1 dimensional theories. We derive the relevant Ward identities for a single flavor fermion and a single flavor complex scalar field interacting with an Abelian gauge field. These identities are nonlinear. The Ward identity for any other complicated theory can be derived from these basic sets of identities. However, the structure of the Ward identity changes since these are nonlinear identities. In particular, we work out the "large" gauge Ward identity for a supersymmetric theory involving a single flavor of fermion as well as a complex scalar field. Contrary to the effective action for the individual theories, the solution of the Ward identity in the supersymmetric theory involves an infinity of Fourier component modes. We comment on which features of this analysis are likely/unlikely to generalize to the 2+1 dimensional theory.Comment: 13page

Boston Bound: A Comparison of Boston's Legal Powers with Those of Six Other Major American Cities

Examines how Boston's limited legal authority under state law -- and, in particular, its restricted ability to raise revenue -- places the city at a competitive disadvantage and is hindering the city's growth potential

Why are Fluid Densities So Low in Carbon Nanotubes?

The equilibrium density of fluids under nanoconfinement can differ substantially from their bulk density. Using a mean-field approach to describe the energetic landscape near the carbon nanotube (CNT) wall, we obtain analytical results describing the lengthscales associated with the layering observed at the fluid-CNT interface. When combined with molecular simulation results for the fluid density in the layered region, this approach allows us to derive a closed-form prediction for the overall equilibrium fluid density as a function of the CNT radius that is in excellent agreement with molecular dynamics simulations. We also show how aspects of this theory can be extended to describe water confined within CNTs and find good agreement with results from the literature

Non-Newtonian ice rheology and the retention of craters on Ganymede

Calculations carried out for craters of varying sizes in a medium with constant temperature T = 173 K yield values for the crater relaxation time t sub e (defined as the time required for the crater depth to become 1/e of its original value) that appear to be too small to account for the observed retention of craters on Ganymede and the other icy satellites. Such a calculation is seriously in conflict with the observed crater population of the surfaces of the icy satellites. In an attempt to reconcile this conflict, possible explanations for the much slower relaxation rate of craters on the icy satellites are considered. It is possible that an admixture of silicates in the surface ice regions of the icy satellites may raise the viscosity to some extent. This possible explanation and others are briefly discussed

Custom, Normative Practice, and the Law

Legally binding custom is conventionally analyzed in terms of two independent elements: regularities of behavior (usus) and convictions of actors engaging in the behavior that it is legally required (opinio juris). This additive conception of custom is deeply flawed. This Essay argues that we must abandon the additive conception and replace it with an account of custom that understands legally relevant customs as norms that arise from discursive normative practices embedded in rich contexts of social interaction characterized by intermeshing anticipations and interconnected conduct. The hallmark of legally binding customs, it is argued, is not the addition of belief or conviction to behavior, but rather the integration of meaningful conduct into a web of legally recognized reasons and arguments