Cosmic hylomorphism: A powerist ontology of quantum mechanics

Simpson, William M. R.

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. M. R. (2021). Cosmic hylomorphism: A powerist ontology of quantum mechanics. European Journal for Philosophy of Science, 11(1), Article 28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13194-020-00342-5

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 1, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Jan 15, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Deposit Date: May 18, 2024
• Journal: European Journal for Philosophy of Science
• Print ISSN: 1879-4912
• Electronic ISSN: 1879-4920
• Publisher: Springer
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 11
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 28
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13194-020-00342-5
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2453542