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Presenting Nonreflexive Quantum Mechanics: Formalism and Metaphysics

Krause, Décio and Arenhart, Jonas R. B. (2015) Presenting Nonreflexive Quantum Mechanics: Formalism and Metaphysics. [Preprint]

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Abstract

Nonreflexive quantum mechanics is a formulation of quantum theory based on a non- classical logic termed nonreflexive logic (a.k.a. ‘non-reflexive’). In these logics, the standard notion of identity, as encapsulated in classical logic and set theories, does not hold in full. The basic aim of this kind of approach to quantum mechanics is to take seriously the claim made by some authors according to whom quantum particles are non-individuals in some sense, and also to take into account the fact that they may be absolutely indistinguishable (or indiscernible). The nonreflexive formulation of quantum theory assumes these features of the objects already at the level of the underlying logic, so that no use is required of symmetrization postulates or other mathematical devices that serve to pretend that the objects are indiscernible (when they are not: all objects that obey classical logic are individuals in a sense). Here, we present the ideas of the development of nonreflexive quantum mechanics and discuss some philosophical (mainly metaphysical) motivations and consequences of it.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Krause, Déciodeciokrause@gmail.com
Arenhart, Jonas R. B.jonas.becker2@gmail.cpm
Keywords: non-reflexive logics, quantum mechanics, quantum non-individuality, Q-spaces, Fock spaces, identity in physics
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Structure of Theories
Depositing User: Décio Krause
Date Deposited: 26 Oct 2015 11:51
Last Modified: 26 Oct 2015 11:51
Item ID: 11735
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Structure of Theories
Date: 25 October 2015
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/11735

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