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arXiv · 1510.03719

What is matter? The fundamental ontology of atomism and structural realism

Michael Esfeld·Dirk-André Deckert·Andrea Oldofredi
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Abstract

We set out a fundamental ontology of atomism in terms of matter points. While being most parsimonious, this ontology is able to match both classical and quantum mechanics, and it remains a viable option for any future theory of cosmology that goes beyond current quantum physics. The matter points are structurally individuated: all there is to them are the spatial relations in which they stand; neither a commitment to intrinsic properties nor to an absolute space is required. The spatial relations change. All that is needed to capture change is a dynamical structure, namely dynamical relations as expressed in terms of the dynamical parameters of a physical theory.

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Michael Esfeld, Dirk-André Deckert, Andrea Oldofredi. 2015-10-13. What is matter? The fundamental ontology of atomism and structural realism. https://arxiv.org/abs/1510.03719

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