DOAJ Open Access 2022

Counterfactuality and the physical reality: lessons from quantum mechanics

Nicholas Kluge Corrêa

Abstrak

In this essay, I'll present an example of counterfactual physical phenomena. More precisely, counterfactual definiteness and interaction-free measurements in quantum mechanics. The example used will be the Elitzur-Vaidman bomb testing experiment, which shows how we can probe the properties of objects, even when they have not been measured, i. e., counterfactual measurements. This type of physical phenomenon seems to operate by the same laws of causality as counterfactual reasoning in decision-making. After all, how can something that doesn't happen affect the real world? I suggest that some mathematical tools used in quantum mechanics may be of interest to those who wish to better model counterfactual possibilities in the decision process or philosophers interested in better understanding the metaphysical implications of quantum mechanics.

Topik & Kata Kunci

Penulis (1)

N

Nicholas Kluge Corrêa

Format Sitasi

Corrêa, N.K. (2022). Counterfactuality and the physical reality: lessons from quantum mechanics. https://doi.org/10.51359/2357-9986.2022.248685

Akses Cepat

Informasi Jurnal
Tahun Terbit
2022
Sumber Database
DOAJ
DOI
10.51359/2357-9986.2022.248685
Akses
Open Access ✓