Bueno, Otávio (2002) Is It Possible to Nominalize Quantum Mechanics? [Preprint]

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Abstract

Hartry Field [1980] has developed an interesting nominalization strategy for Newtonian gravitation theory -- a strategy that reformulates the theory without quantification over abstract entities. According to David Malament [1982], Field's strategy cannot be extended to quantum mechanics (QM), and so it only has a limited scope. In a recent work, Mark Balaguer has responded to Malament's challenge, by indicating how QM can be nominalized, and by doing much of the work needed to provide the nominalization (Balaguer [1998], 114). In this paper, I critically assess Balaguer's proposal, and argue that it ultimately fails. Balaguer's strategy is incompatible with a number of interpretations of QM, in particular with Bas van Fraassen's version of the modal interpretation. And given that Balaguer's strategy invokes physically real propensities, it is unclear whether it is even compatible with nominalism. I conclude that the nominalization of QM still remains a major problem for the nominalist.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Bueno, Otávio
Keywords:	Quantum Mechanics, Realism/Anti-Realism, Mathematics, General Philosophy of Science, Classical Physics
Depositing User:	Program Committee
Date Deposited:	23 Mar 2003
Last Modified:	13 Sep 2015 15:42
Item ID:	1057
Date:	2002
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/1057

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