How to account for quantum non-locality: ontic structural realism and the primitive ontology of quantum physics

TL;DR

This paper explores how ontic structural realism combined with primitive ontology theories, especially Bohmian mechanics, can better account for quantum non-locality and clarify the ontological status of the wave-function.

Contribution

It demonstrates that applying OSR to primitive ontology theories offers a promising approach to explaining quantum non-locality and the nature of the wave-function.

Findings

OSR alone cannot account for quantum non-locality

Applying OSR to primitive ontology theories improves understanding of quantum non-locality

Bohmian mechanics is particularly suitable for this approach

Abstract

The paper has two aims: (1) it sets out to show that it is well motivated to seek for an account of quantum non-locality in the framework of ontic structural realism (OSR), which integrates the notions of holism and non-separability that have been employed since the 1980s to achieve such an account. However, recent research shows that OSR on its own cannot provide such an account. Against this background, the paper argues that by applying OSR to the primitive ontology theories of quantum physics, one can accomplish that task. In particular, Bohmian mechanics offers the best prospect for doing so. (2) In general, the paper seeks to bring OSR and the primitive ontology theories of quantum physics together: on the one hand, in order to be applicable to quantum mechanics, OSR has to consider what the quantum ontology of matter distributed in space-time is. On the other hand, as regards the primitive ontology theories, OSR provides the conceptual tools for these theories to answer the question of what the ontological status of the wave-function is.