Quantum Holism

Bibliographic Data

ID4079010
AuthorsElizabeth Miller (0000-0002-7266-7766, Yale University, corresponding author)
Year2016
Volume11
Issue9
Pages507-514
Publication date2016-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePhilosophy Compass (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1747-9991 • E-ISSN: 1747-9991
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/phc3.12339
OpenAlexW2549552028
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited20

Quantum mechanics allegedly supports a holistic metaphysical moral: it is not the case that the intrinsic characters of all entangled wholes supervene on intrinsic properties and spatiotemporal arrangements of proper parts. According to one influential line of reasoning, such holistic supervenience failure follows more or less directly from quantum theory itself. One advertised consequence is the defeat of a natural, broadly reductive worldview commonly linked to Lewis's philosophical doctrine of Humean supervenience. However, the situation is more complicated, in both this and other respects, than it may first appear. This article is an opinionated overview of some especially interesting complications

Doctrine · Epistemology · Holism · Metaphysics · Philosophy of mind · Reductionism · Supervenience · Philosophy · Philosophy and History of Science · Philosophy and Theoretical Science