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arXiv · 1602.02468

On the Conceptual Issues Surrounding the Notion of Relational Bohmian Dynamics

Antonio Vassallo·Pui Him Ip
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Abstract

The paper presents a program to construct a non-relativistic relational Bohmian theory, that is, a theory of $N$ moving point-like particles that dispenses with space and time as fundamental background structures. The relational program proposed is based on the best-matching framework originally developed by Julian Barbour. In particular, the paper focuses on the conceptual problems that arise when trying to implement such a program. It is argued that pursuing a relational strategy in the Bohmian context leads to a more parsimonious ontology than that of standard Bohmian mechanics without betraying the original motivations for adopting a primitive ontology approach to quantum physics. It is also shown how a relational Bohmian approach might clarify the issue of the timelessness of the dynamics resulting from the quantization of a classical relational system of particles.

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Antonio Vassallo, Pui Him Ip. 2016-02-08. On the Conceptual Issues Surrounding the Notion of Relational Bohmian Dynamics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-016-9992-z

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