Saatsi, Juha (2017) Scientific Realism meets Metaphysics of Quantum Mechanics. [Preprint]
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Abstract
I examine the epistemological debate on scientific realism in the context of quantum physics, focusing on the empirical underdetermin- ation of different formulations and interpretations of QM. I will argue that much of the interpretational, metaphysical work on QM tran- scends the kinds of realist commitments that are well-motivated in the light of the history of science. I sketch a way of demarcating empirically well-confirmed aspects of QM from speculative quantum metaphysics in a way that coheres with anti-realist evidence from the history of science. The minimal realist attitude sketched withholds realist com- mitment to what quantum state |Ψ⟩ represents. I argue that such commitment is not required for fulfilling the ultimate realist motiva- tion: accounting for the empirical success of quantum mechanics in a way that is in tune with a broader understanding of how theoretical science progresses and latches onto reality.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | ||||||
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| Additional Information: | Forthcoming in Philosophers Think About Quantum Theory, Alberto Cordero (ed.), Springer. Presented at XII International Ontology Congress in San Sebastian. | ||||||
| Keywords: | Scientific realism; Quantum mechanics; Underdetermination | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism |
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| Depositing User: | Juha Saatsi | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 20 Apr 2018 12:14 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 20 Apr 2018 12:14 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 14583 | ||||||
| Subjects: | General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism |
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| Date: | 7 August 2017 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14583 |
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