Wilson, A. orcid.org/0000-0003-3027-5016 (2022) Fundamentality and Levels in Everettian Quantum Mechanics. In: Quantum Mechanics and Fundamentality. Springer , Cham, Switzerland , pp. 397-415. ISBN 9783030996413
Abstract
Distinctions in fundamentality between different levels of description are central to the viability of contemporary decoherence-based Everettian quantum mechanics (EQM). This approach to quantum theory characteristically combines a determinate fundamental reality (one universal wavefunction) with an indeterminate emergent reality (multiple decoherent worlds). In this chapter I explore how the Everettian appeal to fundamentality and emergence can be understood within existing metaphysical frameworks, identify grounding and concept fundamentality as promising theoretical tools, and use them to characterize a system of explanatory levels (with associated laws of nature) for EQM. This Everettian levels structure encompasses and extends the ‘classical’ levels structure. The ‘classical’ levels of physics, chemistry, biology, etc. are recovered, but they are emergent in character and potentially variable across Everett worlds. EQM invokes an additional fundamental level, not present in the classical levels picture, and a novel potential role for self-location in interlevel metaphysics. When given a modal realist interpretation, EQM also makes trouble for supervenience-based approaches to levels.
Metadata
Item Type: | Book Section |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | This is an author produced version of a book chapter published in Quantum Mechanics and Fundamentality. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures (Leeds) > School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science (Leeds) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 09 May 2024 10:54 |
Last Modified: | 09 May 2024 10:54 |
Published Version: | https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-03... |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Springer |
Identification Number: | 10.1007/978-3-030-99642-0_26 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:212367 |