On individuality in quantum theory

Abstract

A quantum mechanical analysis of the decomposability of quantum systems into subsystems provides support for the so-called "attenuated Eliminative Ontic Structural Realism" within Categorical Structuralism studies in physics. Quantum subsystems are recognized as non-individual, relationally defined objects that deflate or relax some standard objections against Eliminative Ontic Structural Realism. Our considerations assume the universally valid quantum theory without tackling interpretational issues. O INDIVIDUALNOSTI U KVANTNOJ TEORIJI Kvantnomehanicka analiza dekompozabilnosti kvantnih sistema u podsisteme pruža podrsku za takozvanu eliminativnu onticku strukturalnu realnost, „attenuated Eliminative Ontic Structural Realism” (EOSR), u okvirima kategorickih studija u fizici. Kvantni podsistemi se pojavljuju kao neindividualni, relacioni objekti, sto umanjuje neke od postojecih primedaba na EOSR. Nasa razmatranja podrazumevaju univerzalno važecu kvantnu teoriju bez dodira sa interpretacijskim pitanjima. HIGHLIGHTS Quantum theory does not offer a unique ground for the familiar classical individuality. The emerging field of the so-called quantum structural studies offers new insights and tools for addressing this issue. The approach originally developed by Jasmina Jeknic-Dugic et al . points out the new avenues in this regard. A qualitative agreement with the so-called Eliminative Ontic Structural Realism is recognized and discussed.