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The ontology of Bohmian mechanics

Esfeld, Michael and Lazarovici, Dustin and Hubert, Mario and Dürr, Detlef (2012) The ontology of Bohmian mechanics. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The paper points out that the modern formulation of Bohm’s quantum theory known as Bohmian mechanics is committed only to particles’ positions and a law of motion. We explain how this view can avoid the open questions that the traditional view faces according to which Bohm’s theory is committed to a wave-function that is a physical entity over and above the particles, although it is defined on configuration space instead of three-dimensional space. We then enquire into the status of the law of motion, elaborating on how the main philosophical options to ground a law of motion, namely Humeanism and dispositionalism, can be applied to Bohmian mechanics. In conclusion, we sketch out how these options apply to primitive ontology approaches to quantum mechanics in general.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Esfeld, MichaelMichael-Andreas.Esfeld@unil.ch
Lazarovici, DustinDustin.Lazarovici@mathematik.uni-muenchen.de
Hubert, MarioMario.Hubert@physik.uni-muenchen.de
Dürr, Detlefduerr@mathematik.uni-muenchen.de
Keywords: Bohmian mechanics, dispositionalism, Humeanism, law of motion, non-locality, primitive ontology, wave-function
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User: Michael Esfeld
Date Deposited: 25 Oct 2012 01:50
Last Modified: 25 Oct 2012 01:50
Item ID: 9381
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date: 23 October 2012
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9381

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