CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2025
| Author | Miller, Luke |
|---|---|
| Title | Superposition and the Limits of Dispositionalism: A Dispositional Analysis of Quantum Mechanics |
| Summary | This thesis examines whether the metaphysical framework of dispositionalism can accommodate the quantum phenomenon of superposition. Dispositionalism maintains that the laws of nature are grounded in the dispositional properties of physical systems—properties defined by their tendencies to manifest under certain conditions. While this stimulus– manifestation framework aligns well with classical mechanics, I argue that it falters in the quantum context, where states lack privileged representations and properties often exist in superposition. Attempts to rescue the dispositionalist account by appealing to probabilistic dispositions, or propensities, are unsuccessful: they either fail to explain the nature of quantum properties or their probabilistic structure. I close by proposing an alternative path forward, inspired by Aristotelian metaphysics. |
| Supervisor | Huoranszki, Ferenc |
| Department | Philosophy MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2025/miller_luke.pdf |
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