Esfeld, Michael; Lazarovici, Dustin; Lam, Vincent Minh Duc; Hubert, Mario (2017). The Physics and Metaphysics of Primitive Stuff. British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, 68(1), pp. 133-161. Oxford University Press 10.1093/bjps/axv026
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The article sets out a primitive ontology of the natural world in terms of primitive stuff—that is, stuff that has as such no physical properties at all—but that is not a bare substratum either, being individuated by metrical relations. We focus on quantum physics and employ identity-based Bohmian mechanics to illustrate this view, but point out that it applies all over physics. Properties then enter into the picture exclusively through the role that they play for the dynamics of the primitive stuff. We show that such properties can be local (classical mechanics), as well as holistic (quantum mechanics), and discuss two metaphysical options to conceive them, namely, Humeanism and modal realism in the guise of dispositionalism.
Item Type: |
Journal Article (Original Article) |
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Division/Institute: |
06 Faculty of Humanities > Department of Art and Cultural Studies > Institute of Philosophy |
UniBE Contributor: |
Lam, Vincent Minh Duc |
Subjects: |
100 Philosophy 100 Philosophy > 110 Metaphysics 500 Science > 530 Physics |
ISSN: |
0007-0882 |
Publisher: |
Oxford University Press |
Language: |
English |
Submitter: |
Vincent Minh Duc Lam |
Date Deposited: |
25 Jun 2020 09:57 |
Last Modified: |
05 Dec 2022 15:37 |
Publisher DOI: |
10.1093/bjps/axv026 |
BORIS DOI: |
10.48350/142604 |
URI: |
https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/142604 |
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