Putting the Fire in the Equations; Generating multilevel dynamical processes in Physics and Psychology

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12.4 Conclusions The general philosophy of propensities and actualities requires that there be some specific conditions (called `instrumental causes') for actualising events. It does not say, however, what these may be exactly. Some of the conditions will be conditions of temporal order (such as the Principle of Definite Past). Other conditions for actualising will rely on the alternatives in a superposition either having some energy difference (as suggested by N. Maxwell), or some difference perceptible to some mind (as suggested by Wigner et al.). Adopting either option means that actualising events can only at certain times, and (especially with mind-dependent actualising) these may have long time intervals between them.   We cannot then define quantum substances simply as `forms of propensity for actualising', as these propensities only arise intermittently. Such substances would not endure between successive actual events.   Instead, we are drawn to some two-stage theory of propensities. In that theory, there are quantum substances composed of propensities for virtual events which are the production of the many-body wave function. Then, in a second stage, propensities for actual events are produced intermittently according to the conditions of actualising (mind-dependent or mind-independent).   As I have pointed out previously, the general philosophy of nature only gives a general framework in which quantum theories can be formulated and interpreted realistically. We see from this chapter that quite a few specific `quantum theories' can be accommodated within the general approach. In the absence of any further principles or insights, this fact can best be taken as an indication of where philosophy must make room for empirical investigations.

    

Author: I.J. Thompson (except as stated)

Email: IJT@generativescience.org