Discerning Elementary Particles

We maximally extend the quantum‐mechanical results of Muller and Saunders (2008) establishing the ‘weak discernibility’ of an arbitrary number of similar fermions in finite‐dimensional Hilbert spaces. This confutes the currently dominant view that (A) the quantum‐mechanical description of similar pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPhilosophy of science Vol. 76; no. 2; pp. 179 - 200
Main Authors Muller, F. A., Seevinck, M. P.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Chicago, IL The University of Chicago Press 01.04.2009
University of Chicago Press
Cambridge University Press
Subjects
Bosons
Composite particles
Elementary particles
Epistemology. Philosophy of science. Theory of knowledge
Formalization
Hilbert spaces
Indiscernibles
Logical postulates
Mathematics
Metaphysics
Particle physics
Particle spin
Philosophy
Philosophy of science
Physics
Quantum mechanics
Quantum physics
Wave functions
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Summary:We maximally extend the quantum‐mechanical results of Muller and Saunders (2008) establishing the ‘weak discernibility’ of an arbitrary number of similar fermions in finite‐dimensional Hilbert spaces. This confutes the currently dominant view that (A) the quantum‐mechanical description of similar particles conflicts with Leibniz’s Principle of the Identity of Indiscernibles (PII); and that (B) the only way to save PII is by adopting some heavy metaphysical notion such as Scotusian haecceitas or Adamsian primitive thisness. We take sides with Muller and Saunders (2008) against this currently dominant view, which has been expounded and defended by many.
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ISSN:0031-8248
1539-767X
DOI:10.1086/647486