Date of Award
2010-01-01
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Philosophy
Advisor(s)
Juan Ferret
Abstract
A problem facing quantum mechanics is that there are a number of views or interpretations available that purport to 'explain' quantum mechanics. In this paper I discuss and analyze the view of relational quantum mechanics by Carlo Rovelli in the context of theoretical underdetermination. I will show that even though Rovelli offers a view that consolidates some of the aspects of competing theories it still falls short of breaking out of the theoretical underdetermination. The criteria that I have used to consider a theory successful in this context is one that increases the predictive output of quantum theory. Lacking an increase of predictive output then we can consider how a view helps solve the paradoxes in quantum mechanics or makes the paradoxes meaningless. I will conclude that relational quantum mechanics does not attempt to increase the predictive output and has limited success in resolving the EPR paradox. What Rovelli's view of quantum mechanics offers is a non-trivial and interesting re-interpretation of the main issues of quantum mechanics that does leave the door open for further study.
Language
en
Provenance
Received from ProQuest
Copyright Date
2010
File Size
55 pages
File Format
application/pdf
Rights Holder
Oscar Acosta
Recommended Citation
Acosta, Oscar, "On Relational Quantum Mechanics" (2010). Open Access Theses & Dissertations. 2621.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/open_etd/2621