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50Logical foundations for modal interpretations of quantum mechanicsPhilosophy of Science 63 (3): 329. 1996.This paper proposes a logic, motivated by modal interpretations, in which every quantum mechanics propositions has a truth-value. This logic is completely classical, hence violates the conditions of the Kochen-Specker theorem. It is shown how the violation occurs, and it is argued that this violation is a natural and acceptable consequence of modal interpretations. It is shown that despite its classicality, the proposed logic is empirically indistinguishable from quantum logic
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147A view from nowhere: quantum reference frames and uncertaintyStudies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 35 (2): 195-220. 2004.
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75An empirical reply to empiricism: Protective measurement opens the door for quantum realismPhilosophy of Science 62 (1): 122-140. 1995.Quantum mechanics has sometimes been taken to be an empiricist (vs. realist) theory. I state the empiricist's argument, then outline a recently noticed type of measurement--protective measurement--that affords a good reply for the realist. This paper is a reply to scientific empiricism (about quantum mechanics), but is neither a refutation of that position, nor an argument in favor of scientific realism. Rather, my aim is to place realism and empiricism on an even score in regards to quantum the…Read more
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125Quantum reference frames in the context of EPRPhilosophy of Science 71 (5): 655-668. 2004.Taking a cue from Bohr’s use of the notion of a reference frame in his reply to EPR’s argument against the completeness (and consistency) of standard quantum theory, this paper presents an analysis ofthe role of reference frames in the situation considered by EPR, using a quantum‐theoretical account of physical reference frames based on the work of Mackey, and Aharonov and Kaufherr. That analysis appears to justify at least some crucial aspects of a Bohrian reply to EPR.
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19Miklós Rédei and Michael Stölzner, : John von Neumann and the Foundations of Physics (review)Philosophy of Science 70 (4): 855-859. 2003.
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100Decoherence in unorthodox formulations of quantum mechanicsSynthese 102 (1). 1995.The conceptual structure of orthodox quantum mechanics has not provided a fully satisfactory and coherent description of natural phenomena. With particular attention to the measurement problem, we review and investigate two unorthodox formulations. First, there is the model advanced by GRWP, a stochastic modification of the standard Schrödinger dynamics admitting statevector reduction as a real physical process. Second, there is the ontological interpretation of Bohm, a causal reformulation of t…Read more
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44Antidote or Theory?: David Bohm and Basil J. Hiley, The Undivided Universe: An Ontological Interpretation of Quantum Theory (London: Routledge, 1993), xii+ 397 pp. ISBN 0-415-06588-7. Peter R. Holland, The Quantum Theory of Motion: An Account of the de Broglie-Bohm Causal Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1993 hardback, 1995 paperback), xx+ 598 pp. ISBN 0-521-35404-8 Hardback; 0-521-48543-6 Paperback (review)Studies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 27 (2): 229-238. 1996.
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34The EPR Experiment: A Prelude to Bohr’s Reply to EPRVienna Circle Institute Yearbook 9 263-275. 2002.Bohr’s reply to Einstein, Podolsky, and Rosen’s argument for the incompleteness of quantum theory is notoriously difficult to unravel. It is so diffcult, in fact, that over 60 years later, there remains important work to be done understanding it. Work by Fine , Beller and Fine , and Beller goes a long way towards correcting earlier misunderstandings of Bohr’s reply. This essay is intended as a contribution to the program of getting to the truth of the matter, both historically and philosophicall…Read more
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11Quantum dialogue: the making of a revolutionStudies in History and Philosophy of Science Part B: Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics 33 (3): 565-569. 2002.
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6Logical Foundations for Modal Interpretations of Quantum MechanicsPhilosophy of Science 63 (5). 1996.This paper proposes a logic, motivated by modal interpretations, in which every quantum mechanics propositions has a truth-value. This logic is completely classical, hence violates the conditions of the Kochen-Specker theorem. It is shown how the violation occurs, and it is argued that this violation is a natural and acceptable consequence of modal interpretations. It is shown that despite its classicality, the proposed logic is empirically indistinguishable from quantum logic.
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44Bohr on Bell: A Proposed Reading of Bohr and Its Implications for Bell's TheoremIn T. Placek & J. Butterfield (eds.), Non-Locality and Modality, Kluwer Academic Publishers. pp. 19--35. 2002.
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34What is preferred about the preferred basis?Foundations of Physics 25 (3): 423-440. 1995.I introduce and review the most recent and most promising model of state vector reduction, that of Ghirardi, Rimini, Weber, and Pearle. This model requires the specification of a reduction basis. At least two questions therefore arise: Are there physical reasons to choose one basis rather than another? Does the choice made lead to any undesirable consequences? I argue that there arephysical reasons to choose from a certain class of reduction bases (a class which includes the choice made by the a…Read more
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26A Model of the Universe. Space-Time, Probability, and Decision, by Storrs McCall (review)Philosophical Books 37 (2): 134-136. 1996.
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244This essay is a discussion of the philosophical and foundational issues that arise in non-relativistic quantum theory. After introducing the formalism of the theory, I consider: characterizations of the quantum formalism, empirical content, uncertainty, the measurement problem, and non-locality. In each case, the main point is to give the reader some introductory understanding of some of the major issues and recent ideas.
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89Is measurement a Black box? On the importance of understanding measurement even in quantum information and computationPhilosophy of Science 74 (5). 2007.It has been argued, partly from the lack of any widely accepted solution to the measurement problem, and partly from recent results from quantum information theory, that measurement in quantum theory is best treated as a black box. However, there is a crucial difference between ‘having no account of measurement' and ‘having no solution to the measurement problem'. We know a lot about measurements. Taking into account this knowledge sheds light on quantum theory as a theory of information and com…Read more
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12Quantum Non-Locality and Relativity: Metaphysical Implications of Modern PhysicsPhilosophy of Science 64 (3): 515. 1997.
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46Theory from chaosEpisteme 10 (4): 465-478. 2013.I explore an agent-based model of the development and dissemination of scientific theory that makes very little use of any pre-defined (such as partnerships or collaborations). In these models, under a broad range of values of the parameters, widespread (but not universal) about scientific theory emerges. Moreover, the residual disagreement turns out to be important to developing new theories in the face of new evidence
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54Dynamics for Modal InterpretationsFoundations of Physics 29 (8): 1165-1201. 1999.An outstanding problem in so-called modal interpretations of quantum mechanics has been the specification of a dynamics for the properties introduced in such interpretations. We develop a general framework (in the context of the theory of stochastic processes) for specifying a dynamics for interpretations in this class, focusing on the modal interpretation by Vermaas and Dieks. This framework admits many empirically equivalent dynamics. We give some examples, and discuss some of the properties o…Read more
Columbia, South Carolina, United States of America
Areas of Specialization
Philosophy of Music |
Aesthetic Representation |
Areas of Interest
Medieval Philosophy: Topics |