Ontic structural realism and the interpretation of quantum mechanics

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Serval ID
serval:BIB_BF2DD506D7A2
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Ontic structural realism and the interpretation of quantum mechanics
Journal
European Journal for Philosophy of Science
Author(s)
Esfeld Michael
ISSN
1879-4912
1879-4920
Publication state
Published
Issued date
01/2013
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
3
Number
1
Pages
19-32
Language
english
Notes
Esfeld:2013ab
Abstract
This paper argues that ontic structural realism (OSR) faces a dilemma: either it remains on the general level of realism with respect to the structure of a given theory, but then it is, like epistemic structural realism, only a partial realism; or it is a complete realism, but then it has to answer the question how the structure of a given theory is implemented, instantiated or realized and thus has to argue for a particular interpretation of the theory in question. This claim is illustrated by examining how OSR fares with respect to the three main candidates for an ontology of quantum mechanics, namely many worlds-type interpretations, collapse-type interpretations and hidden variable-type interpretations. The result is that OSR as such is not sufficient to answer the question of what the world is like if quantum mechanics is correct.
Keywords
Ontic structural realism, Epistemic structural realism, Scientific realism, Quantum mechanics, Entanglement, Many worlds interpretation, Bohmian mechanics, GRW
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
09/03/2016 17:49
Last modification date
14/02/2022 8:56
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