Dieks, Dennis (2026) Particles, Statistics and Identity in Quantum Theory. [Preprint]
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Abstract
According to what is known as the Received View, quantum particles of the same kind have no identity. Quantum statistics provides one of the main arguments for this position, namely that permutations of quantum particles of the same kind do not result in new particle configurations, while permutations of classical particles always do. According to the Received View, there is therefore a sharp contrast between classical and quantum particles. In this article, we criticise the Received View in general and the argument from statistics in particular. We discuss and defend an alternative view, according to which particles in modern physics are not fundamental but rather emergent entities. Accordingly, classical particles are limiting cases of emergent quantum particles, so that the difference between quantum and classical particles is only gradual. We discuss recent objections to this alternative approach.
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| Item Type: | Preprint | ||||||
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| Additional Information: | Contribution to a Special Issue of "Logique et Analyse." | ||||||
| Keywords: | Indistinguishable quantum particles; Identity; Received View; Alternative View; Quantum statistics | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances |
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| Depositing User: | Dennis Dieks | ||||||
| Date Deposited: | 04 Feb 2026 13:53 | ||||||
| Last Modified: | 04 Feb 2026 13:53 | ||||||
| Item ID: | 28105 | ||||||
| Subjects: | Specific Sciences > Physics > Fields and Particles Specific Sciences > Probability/Statistics Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics Specific Sciences > Physics > Symmetries/Invariances |
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| Date: | 2026 | ||||||
| URI: | https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/28105 |
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