Dorato, Mauro and Esfeld, Michael (2009) GRW as an ontology of dispositions. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The paper argues that the formulation of quantum mechanics proposed by Ghirardi, Rimini and Weber (GRW) is a serious candidate for being a fundamental physical theory and explores its ontological commitments from this perspective. In particular, we propose to conceive of spatial superpositions of non-massless microsystems as dispositions or powers, more precisely propensities, to generate spontaneous localizations. We set out five reasons for this view, namely that (1) it provides for a clear sense in which quantum systems in entangled states possess properties even in the absence of definite values; (2) it vindicates objective, single-case probabilities; (3) it yields a clear transition from quantum to classical properties; (4) it enables to draw a clear distinction between purely mathematical and physical structures, and (5) it grounds the arrow of time in the time-irreversible manifestation of the propensities to localize.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Dorato, Mauro Esfeld, Michael
Keywords:	dynamical reduction models, causal properties, dispositions, localizations, propensities, primitive ontology, time arrow
Subjects:	General Issues > Laws of Nature General Issues > Causation Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Dr Mauro Dorato
Date Deposited:	02 Sep 2009
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2010 15:18
Item ID:	4870
Subjects:	General Issues > Laws of Nature General Issues > Causation Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	September 2009
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/4870

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