Franklin, Alexander and Seifert, Vanessa A. (2020) The Problem of Molecular Structure Just Is The Measurement Problem. The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science. ISSN 1464-3537
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Abstract
Whether or not quantum physics can account for molecular structure is a matter of considerable controversy. Three of the problems raised in this regard are the problems of molecular structure. We argue that these problems are just special cases of the measurement problem of quantum mechanics: insofar as the measurement problem is solved, the problems of molecular structure are resolved as well. In addition, we explore one consequence of our argument: that claims about the reduction or emergence of molecular structure cannot be settled independently of the choice of a particular resolution to the measurement problem. Specifically, we consider how three standard putative solutions to the measurement problem inform our understanding of a molecule in isolation, as well as of chemistry’s relation to quantum physics.
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| Item Type: | Published Article or Volume | |||||||||
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| Keywords: | Molecular Structure Measurement Problem Quantum Mechanics Symmetry Breaking Hund's paradox Emergence Reduction | |||||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Chemistry General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Reductionism/Holism |
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| Depositing User: | Dr Alexander Franklin | |||||||||
| Date Deposited: | 11 Nov 2020 05:06 | |||||||||
| Last Modified: | 11 Nov 2020 05:06 | |||||||||
| Item ID: | 18380 | |||||||||
| Journal or Publication Title: | The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science | |||||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Chemistry General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Reductionism/Holism |
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| Date: | 2 October 2020 | |||||||||
| ISSN: | 1464-3537 | |||||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/18380 |
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