Quantum Powers and Primitive Ontology

Journal article

This article surveys recent work on primitive ontology (PO) approaches to quantum mechanics, focusing on proposals that seek to integrate this approach with the metaphysics of causal powers. PO approaches aim to provide a clear metaphysical picture in which the world consists of local entities such as particles, matter density fields or flashes, and these entities compose macroscopic objects, such as scientists and their measuring devices. To account for the behaviour of these local entities, some PO theories invoke the metaphysics of powers. After motivating PO approaches and contrasting them with wave function realism, I consider the development of power‐based POs, contrasting them with both Humean POs and POs which invoke primitive laws. I explain how different power‐based frameworks address key quantum phenomena, and I survey some difficulties, including the Problem of Holism, of small worlds and of top‐down causation. Such challenges are best confronted, I suggest, by drawing on Aristotelian hylomorphism: If powers are grounded in forms that unify physical systems, then power‐based POs can accommodate holistic and context‐sensitive behaviour.

Authors: Simpson, WMR

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Wiley
• Journal: Philosophy Compass
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 8
• Article number: e70050
• Publication date: 2025-08-09
• Acceptance date: 2025-07-31
• DOI: 10.1111/phc3.70050
• EISSN: 1747-9991
• ISSN: 1747-9991
• Language: English
• Keywords: quantum mechanics; wave function; hylomorphism; powers; primitive ontology approach