Quantum Mechanics as Structuralist Chimera

Abstract

I argue that properties and relations are in the same boat with respect to quantum mechanics. That just as properties cannot be considered as “hidden variables” so also neither can the relation of  being correlated with. Nevertheless properties and relations can both be understood as incomplete expressions: they are both contextual, properly understood.  The argument on this leverages a neglected proof by Adán Cabello. We show that this latter argument extends and strengthens an argument given by van Fraassen in his (2006). The argument given also considerably strengthens the arguments given previously by Cao (2003) and Psillos (2006). I end by sketching a way of understanding that this contextuality is similar across relativity theory and quantum theory.

Citations

Dr. Adrian Heathcote. 2025. "Quantum Mechanics as Structuralist Chimera". London Journal of Humanities and Social Science LJRHSS Volume 25 (LJRHSS Volume 25 Issue 4): NA.

Related Research

  • Classification

    LCC Code: QC174.12

  • Version of record

    v1.0

  • Issue date

    NA

  • Language

    English

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