The theories of pre-quantum physics are standardly seen as representing physical systems and thei... more The theories of pre-quantum physics are standardly seen as representing physical systems and their properties. Quantum mechanics in its standard form is a more problematic case: here, interpretational problems have led to doubts about the tenability of realist views. Thus, QBists and Quantum Pragmatists maintain that quantum mechanics should not be thought of as representing physical systems, but rather as an agent-centered tool for updating beliefs about such systems. It is part and parcel of such views that different agents may have different beliefs and may assign different quantum states. What results is a collection of agent-centered perspectives rather than a unique representation of the physical world. In this paper we argue that the problems identified by QBism and Quantum Pragmatism do not necessitate abandoning the ideal of representing the physical world. We can avail ourselves of the same puzzle-solving strategies as employed by QBists and pragmatists by adopting a persp...
It is argued that the phenomenon of sub-poissonian statistics can be regarded as experimental evi... more It is argued that the phenomenon of sub-poissonian statistics can be regarded as experimental evidence for the contextual character of quantum theory. To this end, it is shown that the statistics predicted by non-contextual hidden-variable theories must satisfy certain inequalities ...
Saunders has recently claimed that identical quantum particles with an anti-symmetric state (fe... more Saunders has recently claimed that identical quantum particles with an anti-symmetric state (fermions) are weakly discernible objects, just like irreflexively related ordinary objects in situations with perfect symmetry (Black's spheres, for ex-ample). Weakly discernible ...
By the early 1970s, researchers in philosophy of physics had become painfully aware of the nonloc... more By the early 1970s, researchers in philosophy of physics had become painfully aware of the nonlocality inherent in standard quantum theory. It arises most dramatically in the context of the projection postulate, which asserts that upon measurement of a physical system, its state ...
Reductionism, in the sense of the doctrine that theories on different levels of reality should ex... more Reductionism, in the sense of the doctrine that theories on different levels of reality should exhibit strict and general relations of deducibility, faces well-known difficulties. Nevertheless, the idea that deeper layers of reality are responsible for what happens at higher levels is well-entrenched in scientific practice. We argue that the intuition behind this idea is adequately captured by the notion
In 1991 Larry Laudan and Jarret Leplin proposed a solution for the problem of predictive equivale... more In 1991 Larry Laudan and Jarret Leplin proposed a solution for the problem of predictive equivalence and empirical underdetermination. In this paper we argue that, even though Laudan and Leplin's reasoning is essentially correct, their solution should be accurately assessed in order to appreciate its nature and scope. Indeed, Lau-dan and Leplin's analysis does not succeed in completely removing the problem or, as they say, in refuting the thesis of underdetermination as a consequence of empirical equivalence. Instead, what they show is merely that science possesses tools that may eventually lead out of an underdetermination impasse. We apply their argument to a real case of two empirically equivalent theories: Lorentz's ether theory and Einstein's special relativity. This example illustrates the validity of Laudan and Leplin's reasoning , but it also shows the importance of the reassessment we argue for.
The theories of pre-quantum physics are standardly seen as representing physical systems and thei... more The theories of pre-quantum physics are standardly seen as representing physical systems and their properties. Quantum mechanics in its standard form is a more problematic case: here, interpretational problems have led to doubts about the tenability of realist views. Thus, QBists and Quantum Pragmatists maintain that quantum mechanics should not be thought of as representing physical systems, but rather as an agent-centered tool for updating beliefs about such systems. It is part and parcel of such views that different agents may have different beliefs and may assign different quantum states. What results is a collection of agent-centered perspectives rather than a unique representation of the physical world. In this paper we argue that the problems identified by QBism and Quantum Pragmatism do not necessitate abandoning the ideal of representing the physical world. We can avail ourselves of the same puzzle-solving strategies as employed by QBists and pragmatists by adopting a persp...
It is argued that the phenomenon of sub-poissonian statistics can be regarded as experimental evi... more It is argued that the phenomenon of sub-poissonian statistics can be regarded as experimental evidence for the contextual character of quantum theory. To this end, it is shown that the statistics predicted by non-contextual hidden-variable theories must satisfy certain inequalities ...
Saunders has recently claimed that identical quantum particles with an anti-symmetric state (fe... more Saunders has recently claimed that identical quantum particles with an anti-symmetric state (fermions) are weakly discernible objects, just like irreflexively related ordinary objects in situations with perfect symmetry (Black's spheres, for ex-ample). Weakly discernible ...
By the early 1970s, researchers in philosophy of physics had become painfully aware of the nonloc... more By the early 1970s, researchers in philosophy of physics had become painfully aware of the nonlocality inherent in standard quantum theory. It arises most dramatically in the context of the projection postulate, which asserts that upon measurement of a physical system, its state ...
Reductionism, in the sense of the doctrine that theories on different levels of reality should ex... more Reductionism, in the sense of the doctrine that theories on different levels of reality should exhibit strict and general relations of deducibility, faces well-known difficulties. Nevertheless, the idea that deeper layers of reality are responsible for what happens at higher levels is well-entrenched in scientific practice. We argue that the intuition behind this idea is adequately captured by the notion
In 1991 Larry Laudan and Jarret Leplin proposed a solution for the problem of predictive equivale... more In 1991 Larry Laudan and Jarret Leplin proposed a solution for the problem of predictive equivalence and empirical underdetermination. In this paper we argue that, even though Laudan and Leplin's reasoning is essentially correct, their solution should be accurately assessed in order to appreciate its nature and scope. Indeed, Lau-dan and Leplin's analysis does not succeed in completely removing the problem or, as they say, in refuting the thesis of underdetermination as a consequence of empirical equivalence. Instead, what they show is merely that science possesses tools that may eventually lead out of an underdetermination impasse. We apply their argument to a real case of two empirically equivalent theories: Lorentz's ether theory and Einstein's special relativity. This example illustrates the validity of Laudan and Leplin's reasoning , but it also shows the importance of the reassessment we argue for.
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