Claudio Calosi
Biographic Data
| ID | 1027081 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Claudio Calosi |
| GIVEN NAMES | Claudio |
| FAMILY NAME | Calosi |
| SIGNATURE | CALOSI C |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Geneva |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-5011-6296 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 32 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 49 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 31 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 1 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2014 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Spacetime emergence and the fear of intimacy
We provide a reply to the Argument from Intimacy on behalf of defenders of emergent spacetime in theories of quantum gravity. We argue that if one accepts that spacetime regions are nowhere in the sense that they are locations but do not have locations, then the Argument from Intimacy can be resolved. We go on to consider a problem with this response, namely that it is unavailable to super-substantivalists. We argue that this is right for identit…
Towards a theory of presence
The present paper presents a new (formal) theory of presence according to which, roughly, to be present at a place is to have a delegate located at that place. One crucial feature of the theory is that something can be present at a place without thereby being located there. The theory is then applied to several central issues in metaphysics, such as persistence through times and worlds, theories of universals, the ontology of social entities, and…
Fragmentalism: Putting All the Pieces Together
According to perspectival realism, reality is (at least partially) constituted by ‘purely perspectival’ facts, that is, facts that appear to describe reality only from a given ‘perspective’. Fragmentalism is a form of perspectival realism that maintains both that no perspective is privileged and that perspectival facts constitute reality absolutely. Assuming that reality is sufficiently variegated, fragmentalism entails that reality is absolutely…
Graded qualities
The idea that qualities can be had partly or to an intermediate degree is controversial among contemporary metaphysicians, but also has a considerable pedigree among philosophers and scientists. In this paper, we first aim to show that metaphysical sense can be made of this idea by proposing a partial taxonomy of metaphysical accounts of graded qualities, focusing on three particular approaches: one which explicates having a quality to a degree i…
Omnipresence: Secular and divine
Drawing on recent work on the theory of location, we first develop a general theory of omnipresence, and then apply it to the particular but historically paradigmatic case of divine omnipresence
Pluralisms in gunky worlds
The One Magic Wave: Quantum Monism Meets Wavefunction Realism
Regions, extensions, distances, diameters
Extended simple regions have been the focus of recent developments in philosophical logic, metaphysics, and philosophy of physics. However, only a handful of works provides a rigorous characterization of an extended simple region. In particular, a recent paper in this journal defends a definition based on an extrinsic notion of least distance . Call it the Least Distance proposal. This paper provides the first assessment of it. It argues that Lea…
On the Contingency of Universalism
The paper presents different arguments against the necessity of mereological universalism. First, it argues that they are examples of a much more general argumentative structure. It then contends that some of these arguments cannot be resisted by distinguishing different variants of universalism that have been recently proposed in the literature—in contrast with recent suggestions to the contrary. Finally, it provides different ways to resist suc…
Atoms, combs, syllables and organisms
Mereological atomism is the thesis that everything is ultimately composed of atomic parts, i.e., parts without proper parts. Typically, this thesis is characterized by an axiom stating that everything has atomic parts. The present paper argues that the success of this standard characterization depends on how the notions of sum and composition are defined. In particular, we put forward a novel definition of mereological sum that: (i) is not equiva…
By(e) enduring? An answer to Wasserman
Universalism and extensionalism revisited
We present a new notion of mereological sum that is inequivalent to extant ones in the literature and does not fall prey to reasonable complaints that can be raised against some such notions. In light of this notion, we then revisit the relation between mereological universalism and extensionalism. In particular we argue that Varzi’s claim to the point that universalism entails extensionalism is justified only insofar as one sticks to Varzi’s not…
Fine’s Monster Objection Defanged
The Monster Objection has often been considered one of the main reasons to explore non-standard mereological views, such as hylomorphism. Still, it has been rarely discussed and then only in a cursory fashion. This paper fills this gap by offering the first thorough assessment of the objection. It argues that different metaphysical stances, such as presentism and three- and four-dimensionalism, provide different ways of undermining the objection
The Multi-location Trilemma
Quantum modal indeterminacy
The paper investigates the existence and the nature of quantum indeterminacy in a particular realist interpretation of quantum mechanics, that is, the Modal Hamiltonian Interpretation (MHI)-together with an ontology of properties for quantum systems. In doing so, it serves a twofold purpose. First, it advances the debate on quantum ontology by showing precisely how and why indeterminacy arises in a quantum world-as described by the MHI. Second, i…
The Bound State Answer to the Special Composition Question
This paper provides the first thorough assessment of a physics-based answer, the Bound State Answer (BSA), to the Special Composition Question (SCQ). According to the BSA some objects compose something if they are in a common bound state. The reasons to endorse such an answer, in particular, motivations coming from empirical adequacy and conservativeness, precision, simplicity, and parsimony, are critically addressed. I then go on to compare the …
Is the world a heap of quantum fragments
Fragmentalism was originally introduced as a new A-theory of time. It was further refined and discussed, and different developments of the original insight have been proposed. In a celebrated paper, Jonathan Simon contends that fragmentalism delivers a new realist account of the quantum state—which he calls conservative realism —according to which: (i) the quantum state is a complete description of a physical system, (ii) the quantum (superpositi…
Quantum indeterminacy and the double-slit experiment
Is parthood identity
Determinables, location, and indeterminacy
The general-relativistic case for super-substantivalism
Super-substantivalism (of the type we’ll consider) roughly comprises two core tenets: (1) the physical properties which we attribute to matter (e.g. charge or mass) can be attributed to spacetime directly , with no need for matter as an extraneous carrier “on top of” spacetime; (2) spacetime is more fundamental than (ontologically prior to) matter. In the present paper, we revisit a recent argument in favour of super-substantivalism, based on Gen…
Gappy, glutty, glappy
According to the Determinable Based Account (DBA) of metaphysical indeterminacy (MI), there is MI when there is an indeterminate state of affairs, roughly a state of affairs in which a constituent object x has a determinable property but fails to have a unique determinate of that determinable. There are different ways in which x might have a determinable but no unique determinate: x has no determinate — gappy MI, or x has more than one determinat…
Interpreting Quantum Entanglement: Steps towards Coherentist Quantum Mechanics
We put forward a new, ‘coherentist’ account of quantum entanglement, according to which entangled systems are characterized by symmetric relations of ontological dependence among the component particles. We compare this coherentist viewpoint with the two most popular alternatives currently on offer—structuralism and holism—and argue that it is essentially different from, and preferable to, both. In the course of this article, we point out how coh…
Quantum indeterminacy
This paper explores quantum indeterminacy (QI), as it is operative in the failure of value-definiteness for quantum observables. It first addresses questions about its existence, its nature, and its relations to extant quantum interpretations. Then, it provides a critical discussions of the main accounts of QI
Quantum relational indeterminacy
The paper presents the first thorough investigation of quantum metaphysical indeterminacy (MI) in the context of the Relational Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics (RQM). We contend that the interaction between MI and RQM is mutually beneficial. On the one hand, MI provides a metaphysical framework for RQM that has been neglected in the literature, and that promises to undermine some objections that are often raised against RQM. On the other hand…
Composition is Identity and Mereological Nihilism
Composition is Identity is the thesis that a whole is, strict and literally, its parts considered collectively. Mereological Nihilism is the thesis that there are no composite objects whatsoever instead. This paper argues that they are equivalent, at least insofar as Composition is Identity is phrased in a particular way. It then addresses some consequences of such equivalence
Quantum indeterminacy
This paper explores quantum indeterminacy (QI), as it is operative in the failure of value-definiteness for quantum observables. It first addresses questions about its existence, its nature, and its relations to extant quantum interpretations. Then, it provides a critical discussions of the main accounts of QI
Interpreting Quantum Entanglement: Steps towards Coherentist Quantum Mechanics
We put forward a new, ‘coherentist’ account of quantum entanglement, according to which entangled systems are characterized by symmetric relations of ontological dependence among the component particles. We compare this coherentist viewpoint with the two most popular alternatives currently on offer—structuralism and holism—and argue that it is essentially different from, and preferable to, both. In the course of this article, we point out how coh…
Quantum mechanics and Priority Monism
The general-relativistic case for super-substantivalism
Super-substantivalism (of the type we’ll consider) roughly comprises two core tenets: (1) the physical properties which we attribute to matter (e.g. charge or mass) can be attributed to spacetime directly , with no need for matter as an extraneous carrier “on top of” spacetime; (2) spacetime is more fundamental than (ontologically prior to) matter. In the present paper, we revisit a recent argument in favour of super-substantivalism, based on Gen…
Relativity and Three Four-dimensionalisms
Relativity theory is often said to support something called 'the four-dimensional view of reality'. But there are at least three different views that sometimes go by this name. One is 'spacetime unitism' (as we call it), according to which there is a spacetime manifold, and if there are such things as points of space or instants of time, these are just spacetime regions of different sorts: thus space and time are not separate manifolds. A second …
The One Magic Wave: Quantum Monism Meets Wavefunction Realism
Determinables, location, and indeterminacy
Regions, extensions, distances, diameters
Extended simple regions have been the focus of recent developments in philosophical logic, metaphysics, and philosophy of physics. However, only a handful of works provides a rigorous characterization of an extended simple region. In particular, a recent paper in this journal defends a definition based on an extrinsic notion of least distance . Call it the Least Distance proposal. This paper provides the first assessment of it. It argues that Lea…
The Bound State Answer to the Special Composition Question
This paper provides the first thorough assessment of a physics-based answer, the Bound State Answer (BSA), to the Special Composition Question (SCQ). According to the BSA some objects compose something if they are in a common bound state. The reasons to endorse such an answer, in particular, motivations coming from empirical adequacy and conservativeness, precision, simplicity, and parsimony, are critically addressed. I then go on to compare the …
Gappy, glutty, glappy
According to the Determinable Based Account (DBA) of metaphysical indeterminacy (MI), there is MI when there is an indeterminate state of affairs, roughly a state of affairs in which a constituent object x has a determinable property but fails to have a unique determinate of that determinable. There are different ways in which x might have a determinable but no unique determinate: x has no determinate — gappy MI, or x has more than one determinat…
An elegant universe
Parthood and Composition in Quantum Mechanics
Mereology and the Sciences: Parts and Wholes in the Contemporary Scientific Context
Quantum mechanics and Priority Monism
The relativistic invariance of 4D-shapes
Composition is Identity and Mereological Nihilism
Composition is Identity is the thesis that a whole is, strict and literally, its parts considered collectively. Mereological Nihilism is the thesis that there are no composite objects whatsoever instead. This paper argues that they are equivalent, at least insofar as Composition is Identity is phrased in a particular way. It then addresses some consequences of such equivalence
Relativity and Three Four-dimensionalisms
Relativity theory is often said to support something called 'the four-dimensional view of reality'. But there are at least three different views that sometimes go by this name. One is 'spacetime unitism' (as we call it), according to which there is a spacetime manifold, and if there are such things as points of space or instants of time, these are just spacetime regions of different sorts: thus space and time are not separate manifolds. A second …
Quantum relational indeterminacy
The paper presents the first thorough investigation of quantum metaphysical indeterminacy (MI) in the context of the Relational Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics (RQM). We contend that the interaction between MI and RQM is mutually beneficial. On the one hand, MI provides a metaphysical framework for RQM that has been neglected in the literature, and that promises to undermine some objections that are often raised against RQM. On the other hand…
An elegant universe
Is the world a heap of quantum fragments
Fragmentalism was originally introduced as a new A-theory of time. It was further refined and discussed, and different developments of the original insight have been proposed. In a celebrated paper, Jonathan Simon contends that fragmentalism delivers a new realist account of the quantum state—which he calls conservative realism —according to which: (i) the quantum state is a complete description of a physical system, (ii) the quantum (superpositi…
Quantum indeterminacy and the double-slit experiment
Is parthood identity
Determinables, location, and indeterminacy
The general-relativistic case for super-substantivalism
Super-substantivalism (of the type we’ll consider) roughly comprises two core tenets: (1) the physical properties which we attribute to matter (e.g. charge or mass) can be attributed to spacetime directly , with no need for matter as an extraneous carrier “on top of” spacetime; (2) spacetime is more fundamental than (ontologically prior to) matter. In the present paper, we revisit a recent argument in favour of super-substantivalism, based on Gen…
Gappy, glutty, glappy
According to the Determinable Based Account (DBA) of metaphysical indeterminacy (MI), there is MI when there is an indeterminate state of affairs, roughly a state of affairs in which a constituent object x has a determinable property but fails to have a unique determinate of that determinable. There are different ways in which x might have a determinable but no unique determinate: x has no determinate — gappy MI, or x has more than one determinat…
Interpreting Quantum Entanglement: Steps towards Coherentist Quantum Mechanics
We put forward a new, ‘coherentist’ account of quantum entanglement, according to which entangled systems are characterized by symmetric relations of ontological dependence among the component particles. We compare this coherentist viewpoint with the two most popular alternatives currently on offer—structuralism and holism—and argue that it is essentially different from, and preferable to, both. In the course of this article, we point out how coh…
Quantum indeterminacy
This paper explores quantum indeterminacy (QI), as it is operative in the failure of value-definiteness for quantum observables. It first addresses questions about its existence, its nature, and its relations to extant quantum interpretations. Then, it provides a critical discussions of the main accounts of QI
The Multi-location Trilemma
Quantum modal indeterminacy
The paper investigates the existence and the nature of quantum indeterminacy in a particular realist interpretation of quantum mechanics, that is, the Modal Hamiltonian Interpretation (MHI)-together with an ontology of properties for quantum systems. In doing so, it serves a twofold purpose. First, it advances the debate on quantum ontology by showing precisely how and why indeterminacy arises in a quantum world-as described by the MHI. Second, i…
The Bound State Answer to the Special Composition Question
This paper provides the first thorough assessment of a physics-based answer, the Bound State Answer (BSA), to the Special Composition Question (SCQ). According to the BSA some objects compose something if they are in a common bound state. The reasons to endorse such an answer, in particular, motivations coming from empirical adequacy and conservativeness, precision, simplicity, and parsimony, are critically addressed. I then go on to compare the …
On the Contingency of Universalism
The paper presents different arguments against the necessity of mereological universalism. First, it argues that they are examples of a much more general argumentative structure. It then contends that some of these arguments cannot be resisted by distinguishing different variants of universalism that have been recently proposed in the literature—in contrast with recent suggestions to the contrary. Finally, it provides different ways to resist suc…
Atoms, combs, syllables and organisms
Mereological atomism is the thesis that everything is ultimately composed of atomic parts, i.e., parts without proper parts. Typically, this thesis is characterized by an axiom stating that everything has atomic parts. The present paper argues that the success of this standard characterization depends on how the notions of sum and composition are defined. In particular, we put forward a novel definition of mereological sum that: (i) is not equiva…
By(e) enduring? An answer to Wasserman
Universalism and extensionalism revisited
We present a new notion of mereological sum that is inequivalent to extant ones in the literature and does not fall prey to reasonable complaints that can be raised against some such notions. In light of this notion, we then revisit the relation between mereological universalism and extensionalism. In particular we argue that Varzi’s claim to the point that universalism entails extensionalism is justified only insofar as one sticks to Varzi’s not…
Fine’s Monster Objection Defanged
The Monster Objection has often been considered one of the main reasons to explore non-standard mereological views, such as hylomorphism. Still, it has been rarely discussed and then only in a cursory fashion. This paper fills this gap by offering the first thorough assessment of the objection. It argues that different metaphysical stances, such as presentism and three- and four-dimensionalism, provide different ways of undermining the objection
Regions, extensions, distances, diameters
Extended simple regions have been the focus of recent developments in philosophical logic, metaphysics, and philosophy of physics. However, only a handful of works provides a rigorous characterization of an extended simple region. In particular, a recent paper in this journal defends a definition based on an extrinsic notion of least distance . Call it the Least Distance proposal. This paper provides the first assessment of it. It argues that Lea…
Philosophy (29 works) · Epistemology (28 works) · Metaphysics (21 works) · Philosophy and Theoretical Science (21 works) · Philosophy of language (15 works) · Quantum Mechanics and Applications (14 works) · Physics (13 works) · Philosophy and History of Science (12 works) · Theoretical physics (12 works) · Quantum mechanics (11 works)