The (meta)metaphysics of science: the case of non-relativistic quantum mechanics

TL;DR

This paper explores how metaphysical interpretations of scientific theories, especially quantum mechanics, can be objectively assessed using a new meta-Popperian method that discards incompatible metaphysical profiles.

Contribution

It introduces the meta-Popperian method, a novel approach to evaluate metaphysical profiles in science, demonstrated through quantum mechanics case studies.

Findings

The meta-Popperian method can identify incompatible metaphysical profiles.

Application to quantum mechanics shows how science informs metaphysics.

The approach promotes a productive science-metaphysics relationship.

Abstract

Traditionally, to be a realist about something means believing in the independent existence of that something. In this line of thought, a scientific realist is someone who believes in the objective existence of the entities postulated by our best scientific theories. In metaphysical terms, what does that mean? In ontological terms, i.e., in terms about what exists, scientific realism can be understood as involving the adoption of an ontology that is scientifically informed. But according to some philosophers, the realistic attitude must go beyond ontology. The way in which this requirement has been understood involves providing a metaphysics for the entities postulated by science, that is, answering questions about the nature of what ontology admits to exist. We discuss how two fashionable approaches face the challenge of providing a metaphysics for science: a form of naturalism and the Viking/Toolbox approach. Finally, we present a third way, which adopts the best of both approaches: the meta-Popperian method, which focuses on discarding the wrong alternatives, or better saying, the metaphysical profiles incompatible with certain theories. We present the meta-Popperian method, a metametaphysical method capable of objectively assessing which metaphysical profiles are incompatible with certain scientific theories. For this, we will use quantum mechanics as a case study, presenting some previously obtained results. As our focus is on methodological questions about the relationship between metaphysics and science; with this method, we can see how science can be used to avoid error in metaphysical issues. In our opinion, this would be a way to develop a productive relationship between science and metaphysics.