Esfeld, Michael (2017) Individuality and the account of non-locality: the case for the particle ontology in quantum physics. [Preprint]

Preview

Text QT-ind-BuenosAires.pdf Download (281kB) | Preview

Abstract

The paper explains why an ontology of permanent point particles that are individuated by their relative positions and that move on continuous trajectories as given by a deterministic law of motion constitutes the best solution to the measurement problem in both quantum mechanics and quantum field theory. This case is made by comparing the Bohmian theory to collapse theories such as the GRW matter density and the GRW flash theory. It is argued that the Bohmian theory makes the minimal changes, concerning only the dynamics and neither the ontology nor the account of probabilities, that are necessary to get from classical mechanics to quantum physics. There is no cogent reason to go beyond these minimal changes

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Esfeld, Michael Michael-Andreas.Esfeld@unil.ch
Keywords:	measurement problem, individuality, non-locality, particles, Bohmian mechanics, Bohmian Dirac sea QFT, GRW matter density ontology, GRW flash ontology
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Depositing User:	Michael Esfeld
Date Deposited:	10 Dec 2017 05:15
Last Modified:	10 Dec 2017 05:15
Item ID:	14191
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Date:	9 December 2017
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14191

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item