Is Priscilla, the trapped positron, an individual? Quantum physics, the use of names, and individuation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3989/arbor.2011.747n1007Keywords:
Individuals, non-individuals, identity, quantum objects, trapped particlesAbstract
Nobel laureate Hans Dehmelt trapped a positron for three months, which was named “Priscilla”. Dehmelt said that we could not doubt the identity of Priscilla. This poses us a philosophical problem, for we have learnt from quantum physics (in most of its interpretations) that quantum objects shouldn’t have individuality. In this paper, we address on the questions of naming quanta and the issue of individuation. We conclude by saying that, although Dehmelt has named something, this something is not an individual.
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