DeBrota, John B. and List, Christian (2026) A Heptalemma for Quantum Mechanics. [Preprint]

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Abstract

We present a seven-pronged no-go result for quantum mechanics: a “heptalemma”. It shows that seven initially plausible theses about physical reality are jointly inconsistent with the predictions of quantum mechanics, while any six are jointly consistent. We must then decide which theses to retain and which to give up. Since different interpretations of quantum mechanics entail different responses to the heptalemma, we get a novel taxonomy of such interpretations. Beyond the application to quantum mechanics, the heptalemma offers a general diagnostic criterion for determining whether a given scientific domain should count as classical or not, and if not, how it departs from classicality.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID DeBrota, John B. List, Christian
Keywords:	Quantum mechanics; Bell's theorem; no-go result; realism; relationalism; fragmentalism; QBism; solipsism; classicality
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Christian List
Date Deposited:	23 Jan 2026 13:34
Last Modified:	23 Jan 2026 13:34
Item ID:	27977
Subjects:	General Issues > Scientific Metaphysics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	22 January 2026
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/27977

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