On the Metaphysical Principles of Quantum Theory

PRINGE, HERNÁN

Pisa

Congreso; XI Internationaler Kant-Kongress; 2010

Transcendental approaches to modern physics have lately received singular attetion from scholars. The aim of this paper is to contribute to this debate by investigating the possibility of providing quantum theory with metaphysical principles in a Kantian sense. For this purpose, we will attempt to show how such principles may be gained from the application to the quantum case of the general principles of metaphysics of nature established by Kant. We shall begin by briefly discussing Kant?s views on these principles (§1). We shall then analyze the transcendental status of quantum objectivity (§§2-3). This will give us the clue to identify certain synthetic a priori judgements as metaphysical principles of quantum theory, i.e., as the principles of quantum metaphysics (§4). Finally, we shall consider one of such principles (§5) and we shall discuss its role in a philosophical foundation of the theory (§6).The aim of this paper is to contribute to this debate by investigating the possibility of providing quantum theory with metaphysical principles in a Kantian sense. For this purpose, we will attempt to show how such principles may be gained from the application to the quantum case of the general principles of metaphysics of nature established by Kant. We shall begin by briefly discussing Kant?s views on these principles (§1). We shall then analyze the transcendental status of quantum objectivity (§§2-3). This will give us the clue to identify certain synthetic a priori judgements as metaphysical principles of quantum theory, i.e., as the principles of quantum metaphysics (§4). Finally, we shall consider one of such principles (§5) and we shall discuss its role in a philosophical foundation of the theory (§6).