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Introduction: Uncertainty, Paradoxes, and Critical Intuition

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Quantum Social Theory for Critical International Relations Theorists

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in International Relations ((PSIR))

Abstract

In this introductory chapter, I make the case for an alliance between quantum social theory and critical approaches to International Relations. I outline key concepts for the remainder of the book, including the notion of critique, the importance of a physical imaginary in social science, and outline the structure of the book. I suggest how the book can be used as a guidebook, toolbox, and reference work and introduce the “Further Reading” sections appearing in all subsequent chapters.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    This point is made directly by James Der Derian and Alexander Wendt (2020) in their introduction to a special issue of Security Dialogue on “Quantum Approaches to International Theory and Security Practice.”

  2. 2.

    For example, see how Mathias Albert and Felix Bathon engage with particular elements of quantum social theory in comparison with systems theory, investigating “overlaps and similarities that could be put to complementary analytical use” (2020, 1).

  3. 3.

    For example, Carol Cohn’s (1987a, b) work on the limits of nuclear strategy language in evaluating the human costs of nuclear war is discussed later in this introduction in Chapter 4.

  4. 4.

    This strategic move by Cox, “lump[ing] pluralist approaches in to the category of problem-solving theory,” places the burgeoning critical project on equal terms (as one of two possible perspectives) with well-established liberal and realist positions (Hoffman 1987, 241), representing critical theory as “the next stage in the development of International Relations theory” (Hoffman 1987, 244).

  5. 5.

    In her investigation on the economic roots of counterinsurgency operations, Patricia Owens (2015, 7) draws on the concept of the homology, saying that “we can say that there is a homology when there is a correspondence of type of structure—although not necessarily of function—between things. To make a claim of homology is obviously a much stronger argument than analogy, to claim a resemblance, a likely in form or function.” See also Murphy (2020).

  6. 6.

    See Hollis and Smith (1990) for the explaining/understanding differentiation.

  7. 7.

    Wendt (2015) notes that many interpretivist approaches will exhibit characteristics of “naturalism-plus,” where the investigation abides by the causal closure of physics for its material and physical reality and then adds on an additional social dimension without interrogating its status.

  8. 8.

    See Jackson and Nexon (1999) for discussion of the difference between substantialism and relationalism preceding the introduction of quantum social theory.

  9. 9.

    To take a simple example of how infinities can be bound to different sizes, there are an infinite number of fractions between 1 and 2, and an infinite number of fractions between 1 and 3. But the boundary between 1 and 3 is larger than that between 1 and 2.

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Further Reading

  • As this is intended to be an introductory volume, a list of further reading will appear at the end of each chapter. These will point to useful introductions to quantum mechanics and other interventions into quantum social science, along with a brief explanation of what the reader can expect to find there.

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  1. University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

    Michael P. A. Murphy

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Correspondence to Michael P. A. Murphy .

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Murphy, M.P.A. (2021). Introduction: Uncertainty, Paradoxes, and Critical Intuition. In: Quantum Social Theory for Critical International Relations Theorists . Palgrave Studies in International Relations. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60111-9_1

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