Wallace, David (2024) Real Patterns in Physics and Beyond. [Preprint]

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Abstract

I apply Dennett's 'real patterns' idea to the ontology of physics, and specifically to the puzzle of how to relate the very different ontologies one finds at different scales in physics (e.g. particles vs continua, or fields vs particles). I argue that real patterns provide part but not all of the answer to the puzzle, and locate the rest of the answer in the structural-realist idea that ontology in general is secondary to (mathematically-presented) structure. I make some suggestions for the application of these ideas outside physics, including in the philosophy of mind context that motivated Dennett's original proposal.

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Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Wallace, David david.wallace@pitt.edu
Additional Information:	Minor revisions only.
Keywords:	Structural realism Real patterns Emergence Inter-theoretic relations
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism General Issues > Reductionism/Holism Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Depositing User:	Professor David Wallace
Date Deposited:	09 Sep 2024 12:42
Last Modified:	09 Sep 2024 12:42
Item ID:	23888
Subjects:	Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism General Issues > Reductionism/Holism Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Date:	September 2024
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/23888

Available Versions of this Item

• Real Patterns in Physics and Beyond. (deposited 21 Apr 2024 00:05)
  • Real Patterns in Physics and Beyond. (deposited 09 Sep 2024 12:42) [Currently Displayed]

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