Antisymmetry

About: Antisymmetry is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 214 publications have been published within this topic receiving 7914 citations.

Antisymmetry And The Lefthand In Morphology

Abstract: As Kayne (1994) has shown, the theory of antisymmetry of syntax also provides an explanation of a structural property of morphological complexes, the Righthand Head Rule. In this paper we show that an antisymmetry approach to the Righthand Head Rule eventually is to be preferred on empirical grounds, because it describes and explains the properties of a set of hitherto puzzling morphological processes -known as discontinuous affixation, circumfixation or parasynthesis. In considering these and a number of more standard morphological structures, we argue that one difference bearing on the proper balance between morphology and syntax should be re-installed (re- with respect to Kayne), a difference between the antisymmetry of the syntax of morphology and the antisymmetry of the syntax of syntax proper.

Proposed physical explanation for the electron spin and related antisymmetry

Abstract: We offer a possible physical explanation for the origin of the electron spin and the related antisymmetry of the wave function for a two-electron system, in the framework of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics as provided by linear stochastic electrodynamics. A consideration of the separate coupling of the electron to circularly polarized modes of the random electromagnetic vacuum field, allows to disclose the spin angular momentum and the associated magnetic moment with a $g$-factor 2, and to establish the connection with the usual operator formalism. The spin operator turns out to be the generator of internal rotations, in the corresponding coordinate representation. In a bipartite system, the distinction between exchange of particle coordinates (which include the internal rotation angle) and exchange of states becomes crucial. Following the analysis of the respective symmetry properties, the electrons are shown to couple in antiphase to the same vacuum field modes. This finding, encoded in the antisymmetry of the wave function, provides a physical rationale for the Pauli principle. The extension of our results to a multipartite system is briefly discussed.

Unifying Antisymmetry and Bare Phrase Structure

Abstract: This chapter discusses the challenges involved in unifying Antisymmetry and Bare Phrase Structure (BPS) and develops a proposal that captures the insights of both theories. There are two problems in formulating a theory of phrase structure which retains the core properties of both Antisymmetry and BPS. The first has to do with the theoretical framework in which Antisymmetry was developed, namely X-Bar Theory. Kayne’s original formulation does not translate into BPS in a straightforward way. As will become clear, choices have to be made about how to reformulate the LCA under BPS. I will consider various proposals for this as I proceed. The second problem deals with a particular aspect of BPS that seems irreconcilable with Antisymmetry, namely the initial merger of two heads. When two heads are merged at the outset of a derivation, they c-command each other, in violation of the LCA. I refer to this as the Initial Merger Problem.