A Potentiality and Conceptuality Interpretation of Quantum Physics

Philosophica 83 (1) (2010)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

We elaborate on a new interpretation of quantum mechanics which we introduced recently. The main hypothesis of this new interpretation is that quantum particles are entities interacting with matter conceptually, which means that pieces of matter function as interfaces for the conceptual content carried by the quantum particles. We explain how our interpretation was inspired by our earlier analysis of non-locality as non-spatiality and a specific interpretation of quantum potentiality, which we illustrate by means of the example of two interconnected vessels of water. We show by means of this example that philosophical realism is not in contradiction with the recent findings with respect to Leggett’s inequalities and their violations. We explain our recent work on using the quantum formalism to model human concepts and their combinations and how this has given rise to the foundational ideas of our new quantum interpretation. We analyze the equivalence of meaning in the realm of human concepts and coherence in the realm of quantum particles, and how the duality of abstract and concrete leads naturally to a Heisenberg uncertainty relation. We illustrate the role played by interference and entanglement and show how the new interpretation explains the problems related to identity and individuality in quantum mechanics. We put forward a possible scenario for the emergence of the reality of macroscopic objects.

Links

PhilArchive



    Upload a copy of this work     Papers currently archived: 92,611

External links

Setup an account with your affiliations in order to access resources via your University's proxy server

Through your library

Similar books and articles

Philosophic foundations of quantum mechanics.Hans Reichenbach - 1944 - Mineola, N.Y.: Dover Publications.
Quantum physics, illusion or reality?Alastair I. M. Rae - 1986 - New York: Cambridge University Press.
Quantum logic is alive ∧ (it is true ∨ it is false).Michael Dickson - 2001 - Proceedings of the Philosophy of Science Association 2001 (3):S274 - S287.
Quantum holism and the philosophy of mind.Michael Esfeld - 1999 - Journal of Consciousness Studies 6 (1):23-38.
The use of philosophical arguments in quantum physics.John Losee - 1964 - Philosophy of Science 31 (1):10-17.
“Ist die quantenphysik vollständig?”.Holm Tetens - 1986 - Journal for General Philosophy of Science / Zeitschrift für Allgemeine Wissenschaftstheorie 17 (1):96-118.
Modern physics and problems of knowledge.Paul M. Clark (ed.) - 1981 - Milton Keynes: Open University Press.

Analytics

Added to PP
2013-03-01

Downloads
80 (#210,744)

6 months
9 (#320,673)

Historical graph of downloads
How can I increase my downloads?

Author's Profile

Diederik Aerts
Vrije Universiteit Brussel