PhilSci Archive

Understanding Defective Theories: The case of Quantum Mechanics and non-individuality

Macías-Bustos, Moisés and Martínez-Ordaz, María del Rosario (2023) Understanding Defective Theories: The case of Quantum Mechanics and non-individuality. [Preprint]

[img]
Preview
Text
_2023__Understanding_Defective_Theories__non_format_ (4).pdf

Download (209kB) | Preview

Abstract

Here, we deal with the question of under which circumstances can scientists achieve a legitimate understanding of defective theories qua defective. We claim that scientists understand a theory if they can recognize the theory’s underlying inference pattern(s) and if they can reconstruct and explain what is going on in specific cases of defective theories as well as consider what the theory would do if non-defective –even before finding ways of fixing it. Furthermore, we discuss the implications of this approach to understanding the meta-metaphysics of Quantum Mechanics, specifically with regard to Quasi-set theory.
We illustrate this by employing Quasi-set theory to structure a defective scientific theory and make possible the understanding of the theory.


Export/Citation: EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL
Social Networking:
Share |

Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Macías-Bustos, Moisésmmaciasbusto@umass.edu0000-0002-5537-7943
Martínez-Ordaz, María del Rosariomartinezordazm@gmail.com0000-0003-2118-3515
Keywords: Scientific Understanding, Structuralism, Ideology, Meta-metaphysics, Quasi-Set Theory, Non-Individuality in Quantum Mechanics.
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Structure of Theories
Depositing User: Dr. María del Rosario Martínez-Ordaz
Date Deposited: 25 Mar 2023 16:58
Last Modified: 25 Mar 2023 16:58
Item ID: 21907
Subjects: General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
General Issues > Structure of Theories
Date: 2023
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/21907

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item