{"title":"Quantum indeterminacy: a matter of degree?","authors":"Maria Nørgaard","doi":"10.1007/s13194-025-00637-5","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>The degreed view is an influential account in the debate on quantum value indefiniteness, linking the gradedness of quantum properties to quantum indeterminacy. This paper challenges the connection between degrees and indeterminacy by presenting an example of a graded quantum property that does not entail metaphysical indeterminacy. Through an investigation of two graded approaches to location in quantum mechanics, the paper argues that while the first account, degreed instantiation of <i>exact location</i>, is indeterminate, the second account, degreed <i>quantum location</i>, is not. This indicates that indeterminacy and degrees are not inherently linked, offering a novel perspective on quantum ontology. The paper advocates adopting a graded view of quantum properties without indeterminacy, potentially leading to a paradigm shift in understanding quantum phenomena.</p>","PeriodicalId":48832,"journal":{"name":"European Journal for Philosophy of Science","volume":"617 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"European Journal for Philosophy of Science","FirstCategoryId":"98","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s13194-025-00637-5","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"哲学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The degreed view is an influential account in the debate on quantum value indefiniteness, linking the gradedness of quantum properties to quantum indeterminacy. This paper challenges the connection between degrees and indeterminacy by presenting an example of a graded quantum property that does not entail metaphysical indeterminacy. Through an investigation of two graded approaches to location in quantum mechanics, the paper argues that while the first account, degreed instantiation of exact location, is indeterminate, the second account, degreed quantum location, is not. This indicates that indeterminacy and degrees are not inherently linked, offering a novel perspective on quantum ontology. The paper advocates adopting a graded view of quantum properties without indeterminacy, potentially leading to a paradigm shift in understanding quantum phenomena.
期刊介绍：
The European Journal for Philosophy of Science publishes groundbreaking works that can deepen understanding of the concepts and methods of the sciences, as they explore increasingly many facets of the world we live in. It is of direct interest to philosophers of science coming from different perspectives, as well as scientists, citizens and policymakers. The journal is interested in articles from all traditions and all backgrounds, as long as they engage with the sciences in a constructive, and critical, way. The journal represents the various longstanding European philosophical traditions engaging with the sciences, but welcomes articles from every part of the world.
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