Three Conundrums of the Quantum Ontology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5007/1808-1711.2026.e110318Keywords:
Contextuality, Omnimode Determination, Non-Separability, Independent Existence, Indistinguishability, Ontological IdentityAbstract
The purpose of this talk is to briefly recall the main principles of quantum mechanics in order to understand the ontological challenges introduced by the theory. In particular, I will argue that quantum mechanics defies the category of individual for three different reasons: contextuality, non-separability, and indistinguishability. Each one of these three features of the theory violates a traditional ontological principle: the Principle of Omnimode Determination, the Principle of Separability, and the Principle of Identity of Indiscernibles, respectively. Therefore, any interpretation of quantum mechanics should formulate a “global” solution, according to which the three ontological challenges could be adequately tackled in terms of a single ontology.
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