Why IR scholars should care about quantum theory, part II

Critics in the PITs

Bibliographic Data

ID12916144
AuthorsAlexander Wendt (0000-0002-4160-6311, The Ohio State University, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume14
Issue1
Pages193-209
Publication date2022-02-14
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Theory (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1752-9719 • E-ISSN: 1752-9727
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1752971921000105
OpenAlexW4213335052
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited23

Part II responds to some of my critics' substantive concerns about QMASS . However, to sharpen that discussion I first introduce the idea of classical and quantum physical instantiation tests or ‘PITs’. PITs are a thought experiment taking advantage of the causal closure of physics. To encourage critical self-reflection on the usually tacit ontological assumptions of our theories, PITs invite social scientists to translate their mostly qualitative, folk psychological arguments into physical descriptions, meeting classical and quantum constraints respectively, to see which feels more appropriate to the case at hand. With this diagnostic tool in hand, the paper addresses criticisms of QMASS in five areas: (1) the threat of physics reductionism; (2) the potential for epistemic repression stemming from the realist nature of QMASS’ argument; (3) doubts that a quantum approach can support a genuine notion of human freedom; (4) the place of ethics and normativity in social and international life; and (5) implications for graduate methods training and quantum pedagogy more generally

Argument (complex analysis · Epistemology · Physics · Quantum · Quantum mechanics · Reductionism · Sociology · Educational Strategies and Epistemologies · Philosophy · Philosophy and History of Science · Quantum Mechanics and Applications

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Open DOIOpen Access