Synchronic and diachronic identity for elementary particles

The main focus of this paper is on the notion of transtemporal (diachronic) identity applied to quantum particles. I pose the question of how the symmetrization postulate with respect to instantaneous states of particles of the same type affects the possibility of identifying interacting particles b...

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Veröffentlicht in:European journal for philosophy of science 2020, Vol.10 (3), Article 33
1. Verfasser: Bigaj, Tomasz
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:The main focus of this paper is on the notion of transtemporal (diachronic) identity applied to quantum particles. I pose the question of how the symmetrization postulate with respect to instantaneous states of particles of the same type affects the possibility of identifying interacting particles before and after their interaction. The answer to this question turns out to be contingent upon the choice between two available conceptions of synchronic individuation of quantum particles that I call the orthodox and heterodox approaches. I argue that the heterodox approach offers a better explanation of the known experimental facts regarding particle interactions, and I probe deeper the concepts of synchronic and diachronic identity emerging from this approach.
ISSN:1879-4912
1879-4920
DOI:10.1007/s13194-020-00298-6