Primitive ontology and quantum field theory

Shan Gao

Lucas Dunlap

Matthias Egg, Michaël Esfeld

Emily Adlam

Abstract This chapter introduces the ‘primitive ontology’ approaches to the measurement problem, including spontaneous collapse models and the de Brolige-Bohm approach. I consider some possible epistemic problems that could arise in a primitive ontology approach, but ultimately conclude that primitive ontology approaches do appear to solve the epistemic version of the measurement problem. However, I note that there are good reasons to think the existing primitive ontology approaches cannot be extended to quantum field theory, thus motivating a search for alternatives beyond the primitive ontology paradigm. I also discuss the role of autonomy of scales in physics.

Kevin Bleep

This paper introduces a deterministic, scalar-mediated extension of Bohmian Quantum Field Theory (QFT). By incorporating a dynamical scalar field into the primitive ontology of the theory, we provide a framework where fermionic particles interact via a Yukawa mediator while following definite trajectories.