Mathematical Physics and Quantum Field Theory
Electron. J. Diff. Eqns., Conf. 04, 2000, pp. 207-213.

The spin-statistics connection; some pedagogical remarks in response to Neuenschwander's question

A. S. Wightman

Abstract:
Q: Is there a simple proof of the Spin-Statistics Theorem?
A: Not if all that is assumed is invariance under the Euclidean Group.
When this hypothesis is supplemented by invariance under restricted Lorentz transformations, the key move is to disregard Henry David Thoreau's advice: "Simplify, simplify" and instead: complexify, complexify.

Published July 12, 2000.
Mathematics Subject Classifications: 81T05.
Key words: Spin-statistics theorem.

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A. S. Wightman
Department of Mathematics
Princeton University
Fine Hall
Washington Rd
Princeton NJ 08544-0001
e-mail: wightman@princeton.edu

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