Why should anyone want to axiomatize quantum field theory?

by R. F. Streater; in "Philosophical Foundations of Quantum Field Theory", eds. Harvey R. Brown and Rom Harré Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1988.

ABSTRACT

We discuss the properties traditionally required of a physical theory, of relativistic covariance, positive energy, positive probabilities, and causality. We show how locality might have led Schrö dinger and Dirac to their equations. The problem of solutions of negative energy is solved by second quantisation, as is the remaining problem of locality. It is suggested that the Lorentz boost operators K might be position operators, though they do not commute.