Quantum modal indeterminacy
Claudio Calosi
Abstract
The paper investigates the existence and the nature of quantum indeterminacy in a particular realist interpretation of quantum mechanics, that is, the Modal Hamiltonian Interpretation (MHI)-together with an ontology of properties for quantum systems. In doing so, it serves a twofold purpose. First, it advances the debate on quantum ontology by showing precisely how and why indeterminacy arises in a quantum world-as described by the MHI. Second, it offers a naturalistic example of genuine metaphysical indeterminacy, an example coming from our best physics.
Topics & Concepts
Indeterminacy (philosophy)Interpretations of quantum mechanicsQuantumModalOntologyMetaphysicsMinority interpretations of quantum mechanicsInterpretation (philosophy)Theoretical physicsEpistemologyPhilosophyQuantum mechanicsHamiltonian (control theory)PhysicsMathematicsQuantum processQuantum dynamicsLinguisticsChemistryMathematical optimizationPolymer chemistryQuantum Mechanics and ApplicationsPhilosophy and Theoretical SciencePhilosophy and History of Science