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19We propose a distinction between two different concepts of time that play a role in physics: geometric time and creative time. The former is the time of deterministic physics and merely parametrizes a given evolution. The latter is instead characterized by real change, i.e. novel information that gets created when a non-necessary event becomes determined in a fundamentally indeterministic physics. This allows us to give a naturalistic characterization of the present as the moment that separates …Read more
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15Potentiality realism: a realistic and indeterministic physics based on propensitiesEuropean Journal for Philosophy of Science 13 (4): 1-16. 2023.We propose an interpretation of physics named potentiality realism. This view, which can be applied to classical as well as to quantum physics, regards potentialities (i.e. intrinsic, objective propensities for individual events to obtain) as elements of reality, thereby complementing the actual properties taken by physical variables. This allows one to naturally reconcile realism and fundamental indeterminism in any theoretical framework. We discuss our specific interpretation of propensities, …Read more
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Collapse. What Else?In S. Gao (ed.), \em Collapse of the Wave Function: Models, Ontology, Origin, and Implications, Cambridge University Press. pp. 207-224. 2018.
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15Quantum Chance: Nonlocality, Teleportation and Other Quantum MarvelsImprint: Copernicus. 2014.Quantum physics, which offers an explanation of the world on the smallest scale, has fundamental implications that pose a serious challenge to ordinary logic. Particularly counterintuitive is the notion of entanglement, which has been explored for the past 30 years and posits an ubiquitous randomness capable of manifesting itself simultaneously in more than one place. This amazing 'non-locality' is more than just an abstract curiosity or paradox: it has entirely down-to-earth applications in cry…Read more
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34The Open Past in an Indeterministic PhysicsFoundations of Physics 53 (1): 1-11. 2022.Discussions on indeterminism in physics focus on the possibility of an open future, i.e. the possibility of having potential alternative future events, the realisation of one of which is not fully determined by the present state of affairs. Yet, can indeterminism affect also the past, making it open as well? We show that by upholding principles of finiteness of information one can entail such a possibility. We provide a toy model that shows how the past could be fundamentally indeterminate, whil…Read more
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316Indeterminism in Physics, Classical Chaos and Bohmian Mechanics: Are Real Numbers Really Real?Erkenntnis 86 (6): 1469-1481. 2019.It is usual to identify initial conditions of classical dynamical systems with mathematical real numbers. However, almost all real numbers contain an infinite amount of information. I argue that a finite volume of space can’t contain more than a finite amount of information, hence that the mathematical real numbers are not physically relevant. Moreover, a better terminology for the so-called real numbers is “random numbers”, as their series of bits are truly random. I propose an alternative clas…Read more
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577Indeterminism in physics and intuitionistic mathematicsSynthese 199 (5-6): 13345-13371. 2021.Most physics theories are deterministic, with the notable exception of quantum mechanics which, however, comes plagued by the so-called measurement problem. This state of affairs might well be due to the inability of standard mathematics to “speak” of indeterminism, its inability to present us a worldview in which new information is created as time passes. In such a case, scientific determinism would only be an illusion due to the timeless mathematical language scientists use. To investigate thi…Read more
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324Real Numbers are the Hidden Variables of Classical MechanicsQuantum Studies: Mathematics and Foundations 7. 2020.Do scientific theories limit human knowledge? In other words, are there physical variables hidden by essence forever? We argue for negative answers and illustrate our point on chaotic classical dynamical systems. We emphasize parallels with quantum theory and conclude that the common real numbers are, de facto, the hidden variables of classical physics. Consequently, real numbers should not be considered as ``physically real" and classical mechanics, like quantum physics, is indeterministic.
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411Indeterminism in Physics, Classical Chaos and Bohmian Mechanics: Are Real Numbers Really Real?Erkenntnis (6): 1-13. 2019.It is usual to identify initial conditions of classical dynamical systems with mathematical real numbers. However, almost all real numbers contain an infinite amount of information. I argue that a finite volume of space can’t contain more than a finite amount of information, hence that the mathematical real numbers are not physically relevant. Moreover, a better terminology for the so-called real numbers is “random numbers”, as their series of bits are truly random. I propose an alternative clas…Read more
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422The GRW Flash Theory: A Relativistic Quantum Ontology of Matter in Space-Time?Philosophy of Science 81 (2): 248-264. 2014.John Bell proposed an ontology for the GRW modification of quantum mechanics in terms of flashes occurring at space- time points. This article spells out the motivation for this ontology, inquires into the status of the wave function in it, critically examines the claim of its being Lorentz invariant, and considers whether it is a parsimonious but nevertheless physically adequate ontology
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544Bell Inequalities: Many Questions, a Few AnswersIn Wayne C. Myrvold & Joy Christian (eds.), Quantum Reality, Relativistic Causality, and Closing the Epistemic Circle, Springer. pp. 125--138. 2009.What can be more fascinating than experimental metaphysics, to quote one of Abner Shimony’s enlightening expressions? Bell inequalities are at the heart of the study of nonlocality. I present a list of open questions, organised in three categories: fundamental; linked to experiments; and exploring nonlocality as a resource. New families of inequalities for binary outcomes are presented.
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461Propensities in a non-deterministic physicsSynthese 89 (2). 1991.Propensities are presented as a generalization of classical determinism. They describe a physical reality intermediary between Laplacian determinism and pure randomness, such as in quantum mechanics. They are characterized by the fact that their values are determined by the collection of all actual properties. It is argued that they do not satisfy Kolmogorov axioms; other axioms are proposed.
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348Strong Constraints on Models that Explain the Violation of Bell Inequalities with Hidden Superluminal InfluencesFoundations of Physics 44 (5): 523-531. 2014.We discuss models that attempt to provide an explanation for the violation of Bell inequalities at a distance in terms of hidden influences. These models reproduce the quantum correlations in most situations, but are restricted to produce local correlations in some configurations. The argument presented in (Bancal et al. Nat Phys 8:867, 2012) applies to all of these models, which can thus be proved to allow for faster-than-light communication. In other words, the signalling character of these mo…Read more
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58Dissipative quantum dynamics for systems periodic in timeFoundations of Physics 13 (7): 643-654. 1983.A model of dissipative quantum dynamics (with a nonlinear friction term) is applied to systems periodic in time. The model is compared with the standard approaches based on the Floquet theorem. It is shown that for weak frictions the asymptotic states of the dynamics we propose are the periodic steady states which are usually postulated to be the states relevant for the statistical mechanics of time-periodic systems. A solution to the problem of nonuniqueness of the “quasienergies” is proposed. …Read more
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408Non-realism: Deep Thought or a Soft Option?Foundations of Physics 42 (1): 80-85. 2012.The claim that the observation of a violation of a Bell inequality leads to an alleged alternative between nonlocality and non-realism is annoying because of the vagueness of the second term.
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University of GenevaRegular Faculty
Areas of Interest
Philosophy of Mind |
Philosophy of Physical Science |