Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Philosophy of Science

Quantum Logic, Realism, and Value Definiteness

Allen Stairs

Published Dec 1, 1983• 109 citations
Publisher

Abstract

One of the most interesting programs in the foundations of quantum mechanics is therealist quantum logicapproach associated with Putnam, Bub, Demopoulos and Friedman (and which is the focus of my own research.) I believe that realist quantum logic is our best hope for making sense of quantum mechanics, but I have come to suspect that the usual version may not be the correct one. In this paper, I would like to say why and to propose an alternative.

DOI
10.1086/289140

Related papers

Scientific Realism and the Quantum

French, Steven, Saatsi, Juha

Scientific realism has traditionally maintained that our best scientific theories can be regarded as more or less true and as representing the world as it is (more or less). However, one of our very best current theories—quantum mechanics—has famously resisted such a realist construal, threatening to undermine the realist stance altogether. The chapters in this volume carefully examine this tension and the reasons behind it, including the underdetermination generated by the multiplicity of formulations and interpretations of quantum physics, each presenting a different way the world could be. Authors in this volume offer a range of alternative ways forward: some suggest new articulations of realism, limiting our commitments in one way or another; others attempt to articulate a ‘third way’ between traditional forms of realism and antirealism, or are critical of such attempts. Still others argue that quantum theory itself should be reconceptualised, or at least alternative formulations should be considered in the hope of evading the problems faced by realism. And some examine the nature of these issues when moving beyond quantum mechanics to quantum field theory. Taken together they offer an exciting new set of perspectives on one of the most fundamental questions in the philosophy of modern physics: how can one be a realist about quantum theory, and what does this realism amount to?

Oxford University Press eBooks•Feb 27, 2020•62 citations

Logic, Quantum Logic and Empiricism

John Bell, Michael Hallett

This paper treats some of the issues raised by Putnam's discussion of, and claims for, quantum logic, specifically: that its proposal is a response to experimental difficulties; that it is a reasonable replacement for classical logic because its connectives retain their classical meanings, and because it can be derived as a logic of tests. We argue that the first claim is wrong(1), and that while conjunction and disjunction can be considered to retain their classical meanings, negation cruciallydoes not.The argument is conductedviaa thorough analysis of how the meet, join and complementation operations are defined in the relevant logical structures, respectively Boolean- and ortholattices(3). Since Putnam wishes to reinstate a realist interpretation of quantum mechanics, we ask how quantum logic can be a logic of realism. We show that it certainly cannot be a logic ofbivalencerealism (i.e., of truth and falsity), although itisconsistent with some form ofontologicalrealism(4). Finally, we show that while a reasonable explication of the idealized notion of test yields interesting mathematical structure, it by no means yields the rich ortholattice structure which Putnam (following Finkelstein) seeks.

Philosophy of Science•Sep 1, 1982•27 citations

Some Philosophical Remarks on Unobservability

Poletti, Marcello

This paper should be read as a philosophical companion to recent formal results, where the technical derivations are presented. Here, the focus is on their conceptual and interpretative implications. Those results lead to a radically epistemic reading of quantum mechanics (QM): the theory emerges as an ineliminable logical necessity, even within classical, deterministic, and non-chaotic scenarios. This perspective allows QM to be reconciled with a strong—one might say Einsteinian—realism, and perhaps even to reinforce it. In this sense, QM is here reinterpreted as a certification of that very realism in a strictly epistemic sense.

•Oct 1, 2025•0 citations

Putnam on Quantum Theory and Three-Valued Logic Is It (Realistically) an Option?

Chris Norris

(2002). Putnam on Quantum Theory and Three-Valued Logic Is It (Realistically) an Option? Alethia: Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 39-50.

Alethia•Jul 15, 2002•2 citations

Conclusion

Peter Gibbins

Quantum logic is the logic of the high-level language in which we describe what is true and false of quantum systems. I use the term ‘highlevel’ in its computational sense. The language whose logic quantum logic is, is inexpressive. It has no machinery for describing probabilities, only truths and falsehoods and perhaps whatever is in between. Quantum logic conceals from its user the underlying details of the formalism of quantum mechanics, and the details (whatever they may be) of the underlying ‘machine’, the physical world. Quantum logic encourages a top-down view of the quantum world. Quantum mechanics, as done by the practising physicist, is bottom-up. The program of feeding back quantum logic into our metalevel discussion of realism fails. Quantum logic does not licence quantummechanical realism. It cannot override or rewrite the bottom-up view. The program itself is odd in that quantum logic is most naturally thought of as expressing quantum-mechanical antirealism, just as quantum mechanics itself is most naturally interpreted antirealistically. Thus quantum logic is consonant with nonlocality, in the sense that it does not allow one to derive the Bell inequalities. The conditional in quantum logic nicely expresses the effect of ideal measurements on quantum systems.

Cambridge University Press eBooks•Sep 25, 1987•0 citations

Quantum Physics: A Case for Anti-Realism?

علی پایا

The aim of the present paper is to sbo» that anti-realism in science, 1vhich has a1;guab/y become more fashionable in recentyears, contrary to tuha: its proponents assert, cannot make use of quantum mechanics and its impressiue achievements as a frump card in justifying its claims. I will argue that scientific anti-realism far from providing scientific communiry with a progressive methodologicalframeuorle is a restrictive approach wbicb would hamper scientific progress. Focusing on the historical evidence of the 1vqys in subicb quantum mechanics was deueloped, I 1vill further argue that the orthodox interpretation of quantum mechanics due to Bohr and Heisenberg, among others, iuith its in-built anti-realistic elements provides a damning verdict against the claims of anti-realists. Following a critical assessment of a number of alternative interpretations or the calculus of quantum mechanics, I shall present realistic approaches which provide more effective and frudful conceptualframeu;orks for the advancement of research in the quantum

حکمت و فلسفه•Jun 22, 2006•0 citations
One of the most interesting programs in the foundations of quantum mechanics is therealist quantum logicapproach associated with Putnam, Bub, Demopoulos and Friedman (and which is the focus of my own research.) I believe that realist quantum logic is our best hope for making sense of quantum mechanics, but I have come to suspect that the usual version may not be the correct one. In this paper, I would like to say why and to propose an alternative.
Scientific realism has traditionally maintained that our best scientific theories can be regarded as more or less true and as representing the world as it is (more or less). However, one of our very best current theories—quantum mechanics—has famously resisted such a realist construal, threatening to undermine the realist stance altogether. The chapters in this volume carefully examine this tension and the reasons behind it, including the underdetermination generated by the multiplicity of formulations and interpretations of quantum physics, each presenting a different way the world could be. Authors in this volume offer a range of alternative ways forward: some suggest new articulations of realism, limiting our commitments in one way or another; others attempt to articulate a ‘third way’ between traditional forms of realism and antirealism, or are critical of such attempts. Still others argue that quantum theory itself should be reconceptualised, or at least alternative formulations should be considered in the hope of evading the problems faced by realism. And some examine the nature of these issues when moving beyond quantum mechanics to quantum field theory. Taken together they offer an exciting new set of perspectives on one of the most fundamental questions in the philosophy of modern physics: how can one be a realist about quantum theory, and what does this realism amount to?
This paper treats some of the issues raised by Putnam's discussion of, and claims for, quantum logic, specifically: that its proposal is a response to experimental difficulties; that it is a reasonable replacement for classical logic because its connectives retain their classical meanings, and because it can be derived as a logic of tests. We argue that the first claim is wrong(1), and that while conjunction and disjunction can be considered to retain their classical meanings, negation cruciallydoes not.The argument is conductedviaa thorough analysis of how the meet, join and complementation operations are defined in the relevant logical structures, respectively Boolean- and ortholattices(3). Since Putnam wishes to reinstate a realist interpretation of quantum mechanics, we ask how quantum logic can be a logic of realism. We show that it certainly cannot be a logic ofbivalencerealism (i.e., of truth and falsity), although itisconsistent with some form ofontologicalrealism(4). Finally, we show that while a reasonable explication of the idealized notion of test yields interesting mathematical structure, it by no means yields the rich ortholattice structure which Putnam (following Finkelstein) seeks.
This paper should be read as a philosophical companion to recent formal results, where the technical derivations are presented. Here, the focus is on their conceptual and interpretative implications. Those results lead to a radically epistemic reading of quantum mechanics (QM): the theory emerges as an ineliminable logical necessity, even within classical, deterministic, and non-chaotic scenarios. This perspective allows QM to be reconciled with a strong—one might say Einsteinian—realism, and perhaps even to reinforce it. In this sense, QM is here reinterpreted as a certification of that very realism in a strictly epistemic sense.
Quantum logic is the logic of the high-level language in which we describe what is true and false of quantum systems. I use the term ‘highlevel’ in its computational sense. The language whose logic quantum logic is, is inexpressive. It has no machinery for describing probabilities, only truths and falsehoods and perhaps whatever is in between. Quantum logic conceals from its user the underlying details of the formalism of quantum mechanics, and the details (whatever they may be) of the underlying ‘machine’, the physical world. Quantum logic encourages a top-down view of the quantum world. Quantum mechanics, as done by the practising physicist, is bottom-up. The program of feeding back quantum logic into our metalevel discussion of realism fails. Quantum logic does not licence quantummechanical realism. It cannot override or rewrite the bottom-up view. The program itself is odd in that quantum logic is most naturally thought of as expressing quantum-mechanical antirealism, just as quantum mechanics itself is most naturally interpreted antirealistically. Thus quantum logic is consonant with nonlocality, in the sense that it does not allow one to derive the Bell inequalities. The conditional in quantum logic nicely expresses the effect of ideal measurements on quantum systems.
The aim of the present paper is to sbo» that anti-realism in science, 1vhich has a1;guab/y become more fashionable in recentyears, contrary to tuha: its proponents assert, cannot make use of quantum mechanics and its impressiue achievements as a frump card in justifying its claims. I will argue that scientific anti-realism far from providing scientific communiry with a progressive methodologicalframeuorle is a restrictive approach wbicb would hamper scientific progress. Focusing on the historical evidence of the 1vqys in subicb quantum mechanics was deueloped, I 1vill further argue that the orthodox interpretation of quantum mechanics due to Bohr and Heisenberg, among others, iuith its in-built anti-realistic elements provides a damning verdict against the claims of anti-realists. Following a critical assessment of a number of alternative interpretations or the calculus of quantum mechanics, I shall present realistic approaches which provide more effective and frudful conceptualframeu;orks for the advancement of research in the quantum