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(2002) Quantum mechanics, mathematics, cognition and action, Dordrecht, Springer.
A basic choice underlies physics. It consists of banishing actual situations from theoretical descriptions, in order to reach a universal formal construct. Actualities are then thought of as mere local appearances of a transcendent reality supposedly described by the formal construct. Despite its impressive success, this method has left major loopholes in the foundations of science. In this paper, I document two of these loopholes. One is the problem of time asymmetry in statistical thermodynamics, and the other is the measurement problem of quantum mechanics. Then, adopting a broader philosophical standpoint, I try to turn the whole picture upside down. Here, full priority is given to actuality (construed as a mode of the immanent reality self-reflectively being itself) over formal constructs. The characteristic aporias of this variety of "Copernican revolution" are discussed.
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Full citation:
Bitbol, M. (2002)., Form and actuality, in M. Mugur Schchter (ed.), Quantum mechanics, mathematics, cognition and action, Dordrecht, Springer, pp. 389-430.
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