Fighting Inconsistent Thinking in Bohr’s Anti-Realist Realism (Or: Lessons on How to Capture and Defeat Smoky Dragons)

CHRISTIAN DE RONDE

Florianópolis

Workshop; VIII International Workshop on Quantum Mechanics and Quantum Information: Quantum Theory and Reality; 2022

In this work we argue that the power and effectiveness of the Bohrian approach to quan- tum mechanics was grounded on an inconsistent form of anti-realist realism, something that can be —to some extent— exposed through the analysis of what John Archibald Wheeler called “the great smoky dragon”. We will relate this scheme not only to the uncritical tolerance —in physics— towards the “standard” account of the theory of quanta but also —in philosophy— to the mad reproduction of quantum narratives and interpretations. We will discuss the existence of such dragons within the “minimal interpretation” of QM used by physicists as well as within the many “supplementary in- terpretations” that have been introduced by philosophers —or philosophically inclined physicists— in order to solve the infamous measurement problem. After analyzing the role of smoky dragons within both contemporary physics and philosophy of physics we will propose a general procedure grounded on a series of necessary theoretical con- ditions for producing adequate physical concepts that —hopefully— could be used as tools and weapons to capture and defeat these beautiful and powerful creatures.