On the methodological arguments for wave-function realism

Matarese, Vera (2021). On the methodological arguments for wave-function realism. International studies in the philosophy of science, 34(2), pp. 63-80. Taylor & Francis 10.1080/02698595.2021.2024786

[img] Text
On_The_Methodological_Arguments_for_Wave_Function_Realism.pdf - Published Version
Restricted to registered users only
Available under License Publisher holds Copyright.

Download (1MB)

The paper explores a particular line of objection against wave-function realism. This view, advocated by Bell (1987) and presently defended by Albert (1996), North (2013) and Ney (2016), claims that the quantum wave function is a high-dimensional physical field. Normally, wave-function realism has been criticized for its ontological commitments, which are regarded as empirically unsupportable in principle and as violating empirical coherence. In this paper, I investigate whether there are any methodological arguments for endorsing such an ontology and whether they are sound. In particular, I home in on and discuss three arguments that may be used to support wave-function realism: (i) the argument from laws; (ii) the argument from the complete information of the system; (iii) the argument from explanation. My conclusion is that these arguments do not provide any good methodological grounds for inferring the existence of a high-dimensional physical field from quantum theory.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

10 Strategic Research Centers > Center for Space and Habitability (CSH)
06 Faculty of Humanities > Department of Art and Cultural Studies > Institute of Philosophy

UniBE Contributor:

Matarese, Vera

Subjects:

100 Philosophy
500 Science > 520 Astronomy

ISSN:

0269-8595

Publisher:

Taylor & Francis

Language:

English

Submitter:

Vera Matarese

Date Deposited:

03 Nov 2022 06:55

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 16:27

Publisher DOI:

10.1080/02698595.2021.2024786

BORIS DOI:

10.48350/174437

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/174437

Actions (login required)

Edit item Edit item
Provide Feedback