A discussion on individuality and identity in modal interpretations of quantum mechanics

G. DOMENECH, F. HOLIK Y C. DE RONDE

Structure and Identity at the Koninklijke Vlaamse Academie van België

Lugar: Bruselas; Año: 2008;

The concept of individuality in quantum mechanics shows radical differencesfrom the one used in classical physics. In particular, it is notpossible to consider the fundamental particles described by quantumtheory as individual distinguishable objects. In this paper we presentarguments in favor of quantum non-individuality, which —in additionto those based on quantum statistics— relate to the Kochen-Speckertheorem and the principle of superposition. Then, we analyze thepossibility of referring to ‘possible individuals’ instead of ‘actual individuals’,and show that the Modal-Kochen-Specker theorem precludesthis interpretational move.