The Metaphysics of Bohmian Mechanics: A Comprehensive Guide to the Different Interpretations of Bohmian Ontology

The Aim Of This Book Is To Provide A Comprehensive Guide To The Metaphysics Of Bohmian Mechanics. Bohmian Mechanics Is A Quantum Theory That Describes The Motion Of Particles Following Trajectories That Are Determined By The Quantum Wave-function. The Key Question That The Theory Has To Face Relates To The Ontological Interpretation Of The Quantum Wave-function. The Main Debate Has Mostly Centered Around Two Opposing Views, Wave-function Realism On The One Hand, And The Nomological View On The Other Hand. The Supporters Of The Former Believe That The Wave-function Is A Physical Field Living In A High-dimensional Space; The Supporters Of The Latter Regard The Wave-function As Just An Entity That Appears In The Laws Of Nature And Lacks Physical Status. This Monograph Discusses Both Views Open-mindedly, Illuminating Their Tacit Problems And Providing New Insight Into How They Can Be Overcome. Moreover, It Discusses The Structuralist View, Which Is Often Neglected And Which Can Be Regarded As A Reconciliation Of The Two Main Opposing Camps. Frontmatter -- Acknowledgments -- Contents -- Illustrations -- Abbreviations -- Introduction -- I The Bohmian System -- 1 Bohmian Mechanics: The Fundamentals -- Ii The Status Of The Particles -- 2 Bohmian Particles And Bohmian Properties -- Iii The Status Of The Wave-function -- 3 A Realist Interpretation For The Wave-function -- 4 A Nomological Interpretation For The Wave-function -- Iv The Structuralist View -- 5 Ontic Structural Realism: The State Of The Art -- 6 Bohmian Mechanics And Ontic Structural Realism -- 7 Conclusive Remarks -- Conclusion -- Bibliography -- Index Vera Matarese. Issued Also In Print. Mode Of Access: Internet Via World Wide Web. In English.