Blum, Alexander and Jähnert, Martin (2024) Real virtuality and actual transitions: Historical reflections on virtual entities before Quantum Field Theory. Perspectives on Science, 32 (3). pp. 329-349. ISSN 1063-6145

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Abstract

This paper studies the notion of virtuality in the Bohr-Kramers-Slater theory of 1924. We situate the virtual entities of BKS within the tradition of the correspondence principle and the radiation theory of the Bohr model. We show how, in this context, virtual oscillators emerged as classical substitute radiators and were used to describe the otherwise elusive quantum transitions. They played an effective role in the quantum theory of radiation while remaining categorically distinct and ontologically separated from the quantum world of the Bohr model. The notion of virtuality thus differs markedly from its counterpart in quantum mechanics or QFT.

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Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Blum, Alexander Jähnert, Martin
Subjects:	General Issues > Explanation General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science General Issues > History of Science Case Studies General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Depositing User:	Unnamed user with email m.zichert@tu-berlin.de
Date Deposited:	17 Mar 2026 12:25
Last Modified:	17 Mar 2026 12:25
Item ID:	28649
Journal or Publication Title:	Perspectives on Science
Publisher:	MIT Press
Official URL:	https://direct.mit.edu/posc/article-abstract/doi/1...
DOI or Unique Handle:	10.1162/posc_a_00609
Subjects:	General Issues > Explanation General Issues > History of Philosophy of Science General Issues > History of Science Case Studies General Issues > Models and Idealization Specific Sciences > Physics General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism
Date:	2024
Page Range:	pp. 329-349
Volume:	32
Number:	3
ISSN:	1063-6145
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/28649

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• Real virtuality and actual transitions: Historical reflections on virtual entities before Quantum Field Theory. (deposited 02 Feb 2024 09:17)
  • Real virtuality and actual transitions: Historical reflections on virtual entities before Quantum Field Theory. (deposited 17 Mar 2026 12:25) [Currently Displayed]

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