Cosmic hylomorphism : a powerist ontology of quantum mechanics
Abstract
The primitive ontology approach to quantum mechanics seeks to account for quantum phenomena in terms of a distribution of matter in three-dimensional space (or four-dimensional spacetime) and a law of nature that describes its temporal development. This approach to explaining quantum phenomena is compatible with either a Humean or powerist account of laws. In this paper, I offer a powerist ontology in which the law is specified by Bohmian mechanics for a global configuration of particles. Unlike in other powerist ontologies, however, this law is not grounded in a structural power that is instantiated by the global configuration. Instead, I combine the primitive ontology approach with Aristotle’s doctrine of hylomorphism to create a new metaphysical model, in which the cosmos is a hylomorphic substance with an intrinsic power to choreograph the trajectories of the particles.
Citation
Simpson , W 2021 , ' Cosmic hylomorphism : a powerist ontology of quantum mechanics ' , European Journal for Philosophy of Science , vol. 11 , 28 . https://doi.org/10.1007/s13194-020-00342-5
Publication
European Journal for Philosophy of Science
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
1879-4920Type
Journal article
Description
Funding: Templeton, God and the Book of Nature, Grant Id: 61507.Collections
Items in the St Andrews Research Repository are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.