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Paul Teller

Bio: Paul Teller is an academic researcher from University of California, Davis. The author has contributed to research in topics: Idealization & Metaphysics. The author has an hindex of 22, co-authored 61 publications receiving 2460 citations. Previous affiliations of Paul Teller include University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign & University of Illinois at Chicago.


Papers
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Book
14 Nov 1991
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose a modal interpretation of quantum mechanics EPR and question of interpretation: when is a correlation not a mystery? the problem of identical particles indentical particles - individuation and modality.
Abstract: Part 1 Determinism and inderterminism in classical perspective: determinism indeterminism and probability. Part 2 How the phenomena demand quantum theory: the empirical basis of quantum theory new probability models and their logic. Part 3 Mathematical foundations: the basic theory of quantum mechanics composite systems, interaction, and measurement. Part 4 Questions of interpretation: critique of the standard interpretation modal interpretation of quantum mechanics EPR - when is a correlation not a mystery? the problem of identical particles indentical particles - individuation and modality.

588 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a travers l'exempleur de la photographie, l'A. critique l'ideal d'une reproduction parfaite de la nature au profit du projet d'unification des phenomenes reels du monde.
Abstract: Evaluation du modele du modele parfait utilise dans le domaine des sciences naturelles et de la connaissance humaine. A travers l'exemple de la photographie, l'A. critique l'ideal d'une reproduction parfaite de la nature au profit du projet d'unification des phenomenes reels du monde.

263 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: One can give a strong sense to the idea that a relation does not'reduce' to non-relational properties by saying that a relations does not supervene upon the non relational properties of its relata as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: One can give a strong sense to the idea that a relation does not 'reduce' to nonrelational properties by saying that a relation does not supervene upon the nonrelational properties of its relata. That there are such inherent relations I ca11 the doctrine of relational holism, a doctrine which seems to conflict with traditional ideas about physicalism. At least parts of classical physics seem to be free of relational holism, but quantum mechanics, on at least some interpretations, incorporates the doctrine in an a11 pervasive way.

259 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: An Interpretive Introduction to Quantum Field Theory as discussed by the authors presents the basic ideas of quantum field theory in a way that is understandable to readers who are familiar with non-relativistic quantum mechanics.
Abstract: Quantum mechanics is a subject that has captured the imagination of a surprisingly broad range of thinkers, including many philosophers of science. Quantum field theory, however, is a subject that has been discussed mostly by physicists. This is the first book to present quantum field theory in a manner that makes it accessible to philosophers. Because it presents a lucid view of the theory and debates that surround the theory, An Interpretive Introduction to Quantum Field Theory will interest students of physics as well as students of philosophy. Paul Teller presents the basic ideas of quantum field theory in a way that is understandable to readers who are familiar with non-relativistic quantum mechanics. He provides information about the physics of the theory without calculational detail, and he enlightens readers on how to think about the theory physically. Along the way, he dismantles some popular myths and clarifies the novel ways in which quantum field theory is both a theory about fields and about particles. His goal is to raise questions about the philosophical implications of the theory and to offer some tentative interpretive views of his own. This provocative and thoughtful book challenges philosophers to extend their thinking beyond the realm of quantum mechanics and it challenges physicists to consider the philosophical issues that their explorations have encouraged.

199 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Dec 1973-Synthese
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors define the notion of belief as degree of confidence, which can be ordered as to strength and admits of quantatization, and discuss the justification of condition (ii) from the point of view of a frequency interpretation of probability or reasonable degree of belief.
Abstract: I take bayesianism to be the doctrine which maintains that (i) a set of reasonable beliefs can be represented by a probability function defined over sentences or propositions, and that (ii) reasonable changes of belief can be represented by a process called conditionalization. Bayesians have produced several ingenious arguments in support of (i); but the equally important second condition they often seem to take completely for granted. My main aim is to fill this gap in those bayesian positions which characterize reasonable belief directly as a probability function. Thus, what follows applies equally to the bayesian personalists' views which characterize reasonable belief as having subjective sources and to views such as that of Carnap which attempt to explicitly define a function which characterizes the degree of belief it would be objectively reasonable for an idealized rational agent to have in a given proposition in stated circumstances. Many frequentist views are also classifiable as bayesian, and I will briefly discuss the justification of condition (ii) from the point of view of a frequency interpretation of probability or reasonable degree of belief. Along the way I will also have occasion to touch on the connection between conditionalization and observation. Throughout the discussion I will rely on several common bayesian presuppositions. The object of study is a notion of belief, perhaps most aptly described as degree of confidence, which can be ordered as to strength and admits of quantatization. Such beliefs, or degrees of confidence, are assumed to reveal themselves in an agent's disposition to make bets voluntarily or under duress. The agent whose beliefs are under discussion is assumed to be an ideal logician, and the set of propositions about which the agent has beliefs is assumed to be closed under all logical operations. Also, the set of propositions for which the agent entertains beliefs is assumed to be fixed. Quite clearly, when this assumption is violated, the bayesian model does not apply; and the most cogent arguments against

187 citations


Cited by
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01 Jan 2009

7,241 citations

Book
01 Jul 2007
TL;DR: Barad, a theoretical physicist and feminist theorist, elaborates her theory of agential realism as mentioned in this paper, which is at once a new epistemology, ontology, and ethics.
Abstract: Meeting the Universe Halfway is an ambitious book with far-reaching implications for numerous fields in the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. In this volume, Karen Barad, theoretical physicist and feminist theorist, elaborates her theory of agential realism. Offering an account of the world as a whole rather than as composed of separate natural and social realms, agential realism is at once a new epistemology, ontology, and ethics. The starting point for Barad’s analysis is the philosophical framework of quantum physicist Niels Bohr. Barad extends and partially revises Bohr’s philosophical views in light of current scholarship in physics, science studies, and the philosophy of science as well as feminist, poststructuralist, and other critical social theories. In the process, she significantly reworks understandings of space, time, matter, causality, agency, subjectivity, and objectivity. In an agential realist account, the world is made of entanglements of “social” and “natural” agencies, where the distinction between the two emerges out of specific intra-actions. Intra-activity is an inexhaustible dynamism that configures and reconfigures relations of space-time-matter. In explaining intra-activity, Barad reveals questions about how nature and culture interact and change over time to be fundamentally misguided. And she reframes understanding of the nature of scientific and political practices and their “interrelationship.” Thus she pays particular attention to the responsible practice of science, and she emphasizes changes in the understanding of political practices, critically reworking Judith Butler’s influential theory of performativity. Finally, Barad uses agential realism to produce a new interpretation of quantum physics, demonstrating that agential realism is more than a means of reflecting on science; it can be used to actually do science.

4,731 citations

Book
01 Oct 1999
TL;DR: Wendt as discussed by the authors describes four factors which can drive structural change from one culture to another - interdependence, common fate, homogenization, and self-restraint - and examines the effects of capitalism and democracy in the emergence of a Kantian culture in the West.
Abstract: Drawing upon philosophy and social theory, Social Theory of International Politics develops a theory of the international system as a social construction. Alexander Wendt clarifies the central claims of the constructivist approach, presenting a structural and idealist worldview which contrasts with the individualism and materialism which underpins much mainstream international relations theory. He builds a cultural theory of international politics, which takes whether states view each other as enemies, rivals or friends as a fundamental determinant. Wendt characterises these roles as 'cultures of anarchy', described as Hobbesian, Lockean and Kantian respectively. These cultures are shared ideas which help shape state interests and capabilities, and generate tendencies in the international system. The book describes four factors which can drive structural change from one culture to another - interdependence, common fate, homogenization, and self-restraint - and examines the effects of capitalism and democracy in the emergence of a Kantian culture in the West.

4,573 citations

Book
01 Jun 1996
TL;DR: In this paper, a theory of consciousness and information is proposed, which is based on naturalistic dualism and the paradox of Phenomenal Judgment, and the Coherence between Consciousness and Cognition.
Abstract: I. PRELIMINARIES 1. Two Concepts of Mind 2. Supervenience and Explanation II. THE IRREDUCIBILITY OF CONSCIOUSNESS 3. Can Consciousness be Reductively Explained? 4. Naturalistic Dualism 5. The Paradox of Phenomenal Judgment III. TOWARD A THEORY OF CONSCIOUSNESS 6. The Coherence between Consciousness and Cognition 7. Absent Qualia, Fading Qualia, Dancing Qualia 8. Consciousness and Information: Some Speculation IV. APPLICATIONS 9. Strong Artificial Intelligence 10. The Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics Notes Bibliography

2,335 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the decoherence program, including its more recent results, and its application and consequences are investigated in the context of the main interpretive approaches of quantum mechanics. But their implications for the quantum measurement problem have remained a matter of great controversy.
Abstract: Environment-induced decoherence and superselection have been a subject of intensive research over the past two decades, yet their implications for the foundational problems of quantum mechanics, most notably the quantum measurement problem, have remained a matter of great controversy. This paper is intended to clarify key features of the decoherence program, including its more recent results, and to investigate their application and consequences in the context of the main interpretive approaches of quantum mechanics.

1,270 citations