Esfeld, Michael (2014) The primitive ontology of quantum physics: guidelines for an assessment of the proposals. [Preprint]

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Abstract

The paper seeks to make progress from stating primitive ontology theories of quantum physics – notably Bohmian mechanics, the GRW matter density theory and the GRW flash theory – to assessing these theories. Four criteria are set out: (a) internal coherence; (b) empirical adequacy; (c) relationship to other theories; (d) explanatory value. The paper argues that the stock objections against these theories do not withstand scrutiny. Its focus then is on their explanatory value: they pursue different strategies to ground the textbook formalism of quantum mechanics, and they develop different explanations of quantum non-locality. In conclusion, it is argued that Bohmian mechanics offers a better prospect for making quantum non-locality intelligible than the GRW matter density theory and the GRW flash theory.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Esfeld, Michael Michael-Andreas.Esfeld@unil.ch
Keywords:	primitive ontology, Bohmian mechanics, GRW flash theory, GRW matter density theory, non-locality
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Michael Esfeld
Date Deposited:	04 Jun 2014 09:31
Last Modified:	04 Jun 2014 09:31
Item ID:	10711
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	June 2014
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/10711

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