  The Abraham-Lorentz force is a finite remnant of the UV singular structure of
the self interaction of a point charge with its own field. The satisfactory
description of such interaction needs a relativistic regulator. This turns out
to be a problematic point because the energy of regulated relativistic cutoff
theories is unbounded from below. However one can construct point splitting
regulators which keep the Abraham-Lorentz force stable. The classical language
can be reconciled with QED by pointing out that the effective quantum theory
for the electric charge supports a saddle point producing the classical
radiation reaction forces.
