Otávio Bueno (University of Miami): “Weyl, Identity, Indiscernibility”

Abstract: As part of his attempt to interpret the foundations of non-relativist quantum mechanics, Hermann Weyl developed a suggestive technique to accommodate aggregates of quantum particles while taking into account these particles’ apparent lack of identity (see Weyl [1927/1963], pp. 237-252, and Weyl [1928/1931]). The technique is suggestive in that it attempts to make sense of the putative restrictions on the applicability of identity in the quantum domain without changing either the underlying logic or the relevant set theory. In this paper, I reconstruct this technique and assess its feasibility, contrasting it with attempts to make sense of the foundations of non-relativist quantum mechanics by jettisoning identity entirely and revising both the underlying logic and the relevant set theory (French and Krause [2006]). I argue that Weyl’s original approach has significant benefits.

Otávia Bueno is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Miami.