Philosophy of Physics Seminar (Thursday - Week 2, TT24)

Philosophy of Physics

Abstract: It is sometimes claimed that information-theoretic reconstructions of quantum theory provide interpretational insight. I’ll argue that such claims misrepresent the contribution of information-theoretic reconstructions: we should not expect reconstructions to shed light on the inner workings of quantum theory by locating its boundaries in the context of more general theories, nor to reveal what quantum theory is about, since the features and principles privileged through each reconstruction are, at least to some extent, dependent on what one chooses to focus on. Despite this though, I maintain that information-theoretic reconstructions genuinely can play an epistemic role. By adopting a pragmatic, pluralist account of explanation inspired by Van Fraassen and proposing an extension of it to an account of understanding, I'll argue that reconstructions can be seen to provide both explanation and understanding through providing answers, distinct from those about interpretation, to the question “why quantum theory” in the salient contexts.

With speaker’s consent, talks will be recorded and published on YouTube. Our channel is:

https://www.youtube.com/c/OxfordPhilosophyofPhysics/videos


Philosophy of Physics Seminar Convenor for TT24: Christopher Timpson  | Philosophy of Physics Group Website