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Quantum mechanics, strong emergence and ontological non-reducibility

Gambini, Rodolfo and Lewowicz, Lucia and Pullin, Jorge (2013) Quantum mechanics, strong emergence and ontological non-reducibility. [Preprint]

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    Abstract

    We show that a new interpretation of quantum mechanics, in which the notion of event is defined without reference to measurement or observers, allows to construct a quantum ontology based on systems, states and events. Unlike the Copenhagen interpretation, it does not resort to elements of a classical ontology. The quantum ontology in turn allows us to recognize that a typical behavior of quantum systems exhibits strong emergence and ontological non-reducibility. Such phenomena are not exceptional but natural, and are rooted in the basic mathematical structure of quantum mechanics.

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    Item Type: Preprint
    Keywords: Interpretation of quantum mechanics; emergence; downward causation.
    Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
    General Issues > Reductionism/Holism
    Depositing User: Jorge Pullin
    Date Deposited: 08 Aug 2013 04:18
    Last Modified: 08 Aug 2013 04:18
    Item ID: 9924
    URI: http://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9924

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