The Ultimate Constituents of the Material World

Kuhlmann, Meinard

doi:10.1515/9783110326123

Cited by 32 publications

(14 citation statements)

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“…14 Moreover, bundle theories have been introduced recently also in the philosophy of physics in order to provide quantum mechanics and quantum field theory with a clear ontology of properties (cf. [ 6 , 16 ] and [ 12 ] respectively). 15 To this regard, another motivation to discard the notion of object as substance is given by the quantum mechanical formalism itself, which does not allow to conceive quantum objects as independent, localized entities along the lines of classical mechanics.…”

Section: Mereological Bundle Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Bundle Theory Approach to Relational Quantum Mechanics

Oldofredi

2021

Found Phys

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The present essay provides a new metaphysical interpretation of Relational Quantum Mechanics (RQM) in terms of mereological bundle theory. The essential idea is to claim that a physical system in RQM can be defined as a mereological fusion of properties whose values may vary for different observers. Abandoning the Aristotelian tradition centered on the notion of substance, I claim that RQM embraces an ontology of properties that finds its roots in the heritage of David Hume. To this regard, defining what kind of concrete physical objects populate the world according to RQM, I argue that this theoretical framework can be made compatible with (i) a property-oriented ontology, in which the notion of object can be easily defined, and (ii) moderate structural realism, a philosophical position where relations and relata are both fundamental. Finally, I conclude that under this reading relational quantum mechanics should be included among the full-fledged realist interpretations of quantum theory.

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Section: Mereological Bundle Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Bundle Theory Approach to Relational Quantum Mechanics

Oldofredi

2021

Found Phys

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“…7 General discussions can be found in Brown (1996), Elkins (2008) and Meynell (2008). Probably the most systematic treatment was given by Kuhlmann (2010). 8 The specific aspect of virtual particles has captured the interest of more authors (Bunge, 1970;Redhead, 1988;Weingard, 1988;Fox, 2008;Arthur, 2012).…”

Section: Interpretation Of Feynman Diagramsmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the interpretation of Feynman diagrams, or, did the LHC experiments observe H → γγ?

Passon

2019

Euro Jnl Phil Sci

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According to the received view Feynman diagrams are a bookkeeping device in complex perturbative calculations. Thus, they do not provide a representation or model of the underlying physical process. This view is in apparent tension with scientific practice in high energy physics, which analyses its data in terms of "channels". For example the Higgs discovery was based on the observation of the decay H → γγ -a process which can be easily represented by the corresponding Feynman diagrams. I take issue with this tension and show that on closer analysis the story of the Higgs discovery should be told differently.

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“…Alternatively, "ontic structural realism has become the most fashionable ontological framework for modern physics" (Kuhlmann 2015). See also Kuhlmann (2010) and Sects. 2.2.1 and 10.4.1.…”

Section: The Philosophy Of Complexity: From Structural Realism To Posmentioning

confidence: 99%

Volume II: The Simplicity of Complexity

Glattfelder¹

2019

Information—Consciousness—Reality

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Whereas most of the cosmos is comprised of rather simple large-scale structures, on Earth, we find breathtaking complexity, down to microscopic scales. Indeed, it appears as though the universe is driven by a propensity to assemble ever more complex structures around us, guided by self-organized and emergent behavior. Naively one would expect complexity to be complicated to comprehend. Luckily, in the universe we inhabit, complex systems are encoded by simple rules of interaction. Like Volume I of the Book of Nature being written in the language of mathematics, Volume II, addressing complexity, is composed of simple algorithms decoding reality. Complex systems theory has a long history and raises philosophical questions. One of its most successful formal tools are networks. In fact, complex networks are ubiquitous in the domains of living and non-living complexity. One particular organizational property in complex systems is akin to a "law of nature," giving rise to universal behavior. These patterns, known as scaling laws, are to be found everywhere. Level of mathematical formality: medium to low. We inhabit a very particular place in the universe. The planet we find ourselves residing on is unlike any other patch of cosmic space containing matter. Every day we witness the interaction of a myriad of structures creating a vast richness of intricate behavior. We are surrounded by, and embedded in, a microcosm seething with complexity. Specifically, we are exposed to chemical, biological, and, foremost, technological and socio-economical complexity. Until very recently in the history of human thought, the adjective "complex" was thought to be synonymous with "complicated"-in other words, intractable. While the universe unveiled its fundamental mysteries through the Book of Nature-the age-old metaphor for the circumstance that the regularities in the physical world are explained mathematically by the human mind-the complexity surrounding us seemed incomprehensible. However, one specific cosmic coincidence allowed the human mind to also tackle and decode the behavior of complex systems. Before disentangling complexity itself, the next section will briefly review the notions introduced throughout the narrative of Part I: the two volumes of the Book of Nature.

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The Ultimate Constituents of the Material World

Cited by 32 publications

References 0 publications

The Bundle Theory Approach to Relational Quantum Mechanics

The Bundle Theory Approach to Relational Quantum Mechanics

On the interpretation of Feynman diagrams, or, did the LHC experiments observe H → γγ?

Volume II: The Simplicity of Complexity

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