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The quantum and classical domains as provisional parallel coexistents

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Abstract

We consider the problem of therelationship between the quantum and theclassical domains from the point of view that itis possible to speak of a direct physicaldescription of quantum systems havingphysical properties. We put emphasis, inevidencing it, on the specific quantum conceptof indistinguishability of identical in aconceptual way (and not in a logical way in thevein of ``da Costa's school''). In essence, thesubsequent argumentation deals with therelationship between the classical and thequantum, with the problem of the quantum theoryof measurement. Even in the absence of adefinitive response to this problem, the bestattitude for the time being, as we cannot reducethe classical and the quantum one to the other,seems to be to accept their pacific coexistence,and this is possible with the toleranceprinciple of the ``pragmatic truth'' developedfrom a logical point of view by Newton daCosta.

RESUMO. As áreas quântica eclássica enquanto provisórioscoexistentes parallelos. Abordamos oproblema da relação entre as áreasdo quântico e do clássico considerandoque é possível falar de umadescrição física direta de sistemas quânticos tendo propriedades.Insistimos, para isto, sobre o conceitoespecificamente quântico daindicernabilidade dos idênticos de um ponto devista conceptual (não de um ponto de vistalógico à maneira da ``escola da Costa'')como evidenciando isto. O essencial daargumentação a seguir tem como enfoquea relação clássico-quântico, como problema da teoria quântica damedição. Mesmo não tendo umaresposta definitiva para este, a melhor atitudepor enquanto, já que não se podemreduzir um ao outro o clássico e oquântico, nos parece ser esta de aceitar suacoexistência pacífica, o que épossível com o princípio detolerância da ``verdade pragmática''desenvolvida logicamente por Newton da Costa.

RéSUMé. Les domaines quantique etclassique, provisoires coexistantsparallèles.Le problème des rapportsentre les domaines quantique et classique estabordé en adoptant le point de vue selonlequel il est possible de parler de descriptionphysique directe de systèmes quantiquesayant des propriétés. Pour ce faire, unaccent particuler est mis sur le conceptspécifiquement quantiqued'indiscernabilité des identiques demanière conceptuelle (et non logique àla manière de l'``école de da Costa'').L'argumentation porte ensuite essentiellementsur la relation classique-quantique, avec laquestion de la théorie quantique de lamesure. Même en l'absence d'une réponsedéfinitive à ce sujet, la meilleureattitude à prendre semble, en l'étatactuel des choses, puisque le classique et lequantique ne peuvent être réduits l'unà l'autre, de s'en tenir à leurcoexistence pacifique, ce qu'autorise leprincipe de tolérance de la ``véritépragmatique'' développée sous l'aspectlogique par Newton da Costa.

An essay in honour of Newton da Costawith admiration, friendship and saudades.

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Paty, M. The quantum and classical domains as provisional parallel coexistents. Synthese 125, 179–200 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005288605275

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