Le Bihan, Baptiste and Margoni, Emilia and Vieser, Annica (2025) Possibility in Physics. [Preprint]

Text (Le Bihan, B., Margoni, E. and Vieser, A. (forthcoming). Possibility in physics. In H. Zwirn (Ed.), Quantum Physics and Cosmology. ISTE) Le Bihan, Margoni, Vieser, Possibility in Physics.pdf - Accepted Version Download (565kB)

Abstract

Physics not only describes past, present, and future events but also accounts for unrealized possibilities. These possibilities are represented through the solution spaces given by theories. These spaces are typically classified into two categories: kinematical and dynamical. The distinction raises important questions about the nature of physical possibility. How should we interpret the difference between kinematical and dynamical models? Do dynamical solutions represent genuine possibilities in the physical world? Should kinematical possibilities be viewed as mere logical or linguistic constructs, devoid of a deeper connection to the structure of physical reality? This chapter addresses these questions by analyzing some of the most significant theories in physics: classical mechanics, general relativity and quantum mechanics, with a final mention to quantum gravity. We argue that only dynamical models correspond to genuine physical possibilities.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Le Bihan, Baptiste baptiste.lebihan@unige.ch 0000-0002-1245-1373 Margoni, Emilia emilia.margoni@unige.ch 0000-0002-2556-1539 Vieser, Annica annica.vieser@unige.ch 0009-0003-6735-0419
Additional Information:	Forthcoming in H. Zwirn (Ed.), Quantum Physics and Cosmology. ISTE.
Keywords:	kinematics; dynamics; classical mechanics; general relativity; quantum mechanics
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science
Depositing User:	Dr. Emilia Margoni
Date Deposited:	04 Mar 2025 13:09
Last Modified:	04 Mar 2025 13:09
Item ID:	24866
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science
Date:	2025
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/24866

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