Do Elementary Particles Have an Objective Existence?

TL;DR

This paper explores whether elementary particles have an objective, observer-independent existence, examining their distinguishability and proposing experiments to test these foundational quantum concepts.

Contribution

It provides a logical deduction linking particle distinguishability with objective existence, discusses compatibility with quantum theory, and suggests an experiment to explore these ideas.

Findings

Elementary particles' objective existence implies distinguishability.

Indistinguishability of particles challenges objective existence.

Proposed experiment to test particle distinguishability.

Abstract

The formulation of quantum theory does not comply with the notion of objective existence of elementary particles. Objective existence independent of observation implies the distinguishability of elementary particles. In other words: If elementary particles have an objective existence independent of observations, then they are distinguishable. Or if elementary particles are indistinguishable then matter cannot have existence independent of our observation. This paper presents a simple deduction of the above statements, their compatibility with quantum theory, an example of quantum uniqueness situation and a suggested experiment. The conclusion is a short discussion about the redundancy of such phenomena.