In Philosophers Think About Quantum Theory (2017)
Authors |
|
Abstract |
I examine the epistemological debate on scientific realism in the context of quantum physics, focusing on the empirical underdetermin- ation of different formulations and interpretations of QM. I will argue that much of the interpretational, metaphysical work on QM tran- scends the kinds of realist commitments that are well-motivated in the light of the history of science. I sketch a way of demarcating empirically well-confirmed aspects of QM from speculative quantum metaphysics in a way that coheres with anti-realist evidence from the history of science. The minimal realist attitude sketched withholds realist com- mitment to what quantum state |Ψ⟩ represents. I argue that such commitment is not required for fulfilling the ultimate realist motiva- tion: accounting for the empirical success of quantum mechanics in a way that is in tune with a broader understanding of how theoretical science progresses and latches onto reality.
|
Keywords | Scientific realism Quantum mechanics Underdetermination |
Categories | (categorize this paper) |
Buy the book |
Find it on Amazon.com
|
Options |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Download options
References found in this work BETA
Every Thing Must Go: Metaphysics Naturalized.James Ladyman & Don Ross - 2007 - Oxford University Press.
Representing and Intervening: Introductory Topics in the Philosophy of Natural Science.Ian Hacking - 1983 - Cambridge University Press.
The Emergent Multiverse: Quantum Theory According to the Everett Interpretation.David Wallace - 2012 - Oxford University Press.
The Structure of the World: Metaphysics and Representation.Steven French - 2014 - Oxford University Press.
View all 67 references / Add more references
Citations of this work BETA
Quantum ontology without speculation.Matthias Egg - 2021 - European Journal for Philosophy of Science 11 (1):1-26.
Charting the Landscape of Interpretation, Theory Rivalry, and Underdetermination in Quantum Mechanics.Pablo Acuña - 2019 - Synthese 198 (2):1711-1740.
Dissolving the Measurement Problem is Not an Option for the Realist.Matthias Egg - 2019 - Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 66:62-68.
Zeilinger on Information and Reality.Ali Barzegar, Mostafa Taqavi & Afshin Shafiee - 2021 - Foundations of Science 26 (4):1007-1019.
Similar books and articles
On the Received Realist View of Quantum Mechanics.Nahuel Sznajderhaus - 2016 - Cadernos de História E Filosofia da Ciéncia.
The Bohmian Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics : A Pitfall for Realism.A. Matzkin & V. Nvrock - unknown
An Empirical Reply to Empiricism: Protective Measurement Opens the Door for Quantum Realism.Michael Dickson - 1995 - Philosophy of Science 62 (1):122-140.
Underdetermination, Realism, and Theory Appraisal: An Epistemological Reflection on Quantum Mechanics. [REVIEW]Darrin W. Belousek - 2005 - Foundations of Physics 35 (4):669-695.
Realism and Instrumentalism About the Wave Function. How Should We Choose?Mauro Dorato & Federico Laudisa - 2014 - In Shao Gan (ed.), Protective Measurements and Quantum Reality: Toward a New Understanding of Quantum Mechanics. Cambridge University Press.
Why Quantum Theory is Possibly Wrong.Holger Lyre - 2010 - Foundations of Physics 40 (9-10):1429-1438.
The Wave Function: Essays on the Metaphysics of Quantum Mechanics.Alyssa Ney & David Albert (eds.) - 2013 - Oxford University Press USA.
Topos Theoretic Quantum Realism.Benjamin Eva - 2017 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 68 (4):1149-1181.
Quantum Ontology and Extensional Mereology.Claudio Calosi, Vincenzo Fano & Gino Tarozzi - 2011 - Foundations of Physics 41 (11):1740-1755.
Quantum Logic, Realism, and Value Definiteness.Allen Stairs - 1983 - Philosophy of Science 50 (4):578-602.
Realism and Objectivism in Quantum Mechanics.Vassilios Karakostas - 2012 - Journal for General Philosophy of Science / Zeitschrift für Allgemeine Wissenschaftstheorie 43 (1):45-65.
Realism in Context: The Examples of Lifeworld and Quantum Physics.Gregor Schiemann - 2009 - Human Affairs 19 (2):211-222.
Ontic Structural Realism and the Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics.Michael Esfeld - 2013 - European Journal for Philosophy of Science 3 (1):19-32.
Reality Without Realism: On the Ontological and Epistemological Architecture of Quantum Mechanics.Arkady Plotnitsky & Andrei Khrennikov - 2015 - Foundations of Physics 45 (10):1269-1300.
Analytics
Added to PP index
2018-04-20
Total views
497 ( #18,066 of 2,507,638 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
59 ( #14,068 of 2,507,638 )
2018-04-20
Total views
497 ( #18,066 of 2,507,638 )
Recent downloads (6 months)
59 ( #14,068 of 2,507,638 )
How can I increase my downloads?
Downloads