In the paper the analysis of the main paradigms of theoretical physics is considered using general ideas of metaphysical nature. The author notes the fact that in addition to well-known in modern physics geometric and quantum paradigms there should exist a third relational paradigm. Meta-physical analysis allows us to outline the relational theory and describe the hypothetical nature of the basic categories on which it is based. Possible consequences of relational physics are discussed.
In the paper the analysis of the main paradigms of theoretical physics is considered using general ideas of metaphysical nature. The author notes the fact that in addition to well-known in modern physics geometric and quantum paradigms there should exist a third relational paradigm. Meta-physical analysis allows us to outline the relational theory and describe the hypothetical nature of the basic categories on which it is based. Possible consequences of relational physics are discussed.
In the work indicated are, firstly, three main reasons for revision of prevailing ideas about physical reality: inadequacy of the classical space-time in microworld physics, unsuccessful attempts to combine the principles of quantum theory and general relativity and, above all, the presence of the third physical paradigm - relational one. Secondly, shown are the constituents of the latter requiring the use of key metaphysical principles, and thirdly, they have been formulated. Fourthly, the mathematical formalism reflecting the unity of three metaphysical principles has now been proposed. Its foundations were laid in the theories of physical structures by Yu.I. Kulakov et al. Finally, fifthly, shown are basic results of applying the theory of binary systems of complex relations to solve the problems of microworld physics.
Promising tasks in three dualistic metaphysical paradigms are noted. The prospects of the relational-statistical interpretation (interpretation) of quantum mechanics are indicated. In relational physics, the importance of studying the possibility of controlling gravity due to an electromagnetic field is noted. In the field-theoretic approach, it is necessary to investigate the possibility of developing a gauge theory of time. A way of constructing the geometry of praspinors based on unary systems of complex relations is proposed. The hypothesis of pre-physical reality and the prospect of creating binary geometrosubphysics are discussed.
An adequate physical theory requires something more than just mathematical equations and rules. It needs a philosophical conceptual framework as well. Something special that allows theoretical statements to be connected with human experiences. In classical mechanics the interpretive framework that ties the mathematics to experience does not affect our ontological notion. The basic idea of the classically conceived connection between the physically and psychologically describes aspects of nature is carry-over from the planetary dynamics that was the origin of classical mechanics: the locations of objects are regarded as being directly knowable, without any effects on those objects. In quantum mechanics the process of acquiring information, or knowledge pertaining to the location of that object affects the state that is being probed. This fact changes a status of observer. Now observer is an active part of the acquiring information scheme. New idea of observer requires new model. Observer consists of several parts: object+ apparatus+ environment+ consciousness of researcher. One of the most important function of consciousness is selection of conceptual interpretive framework for mathematical structure that ties theory and experiment. The results of experiments make sense only in appointed interpretative paradigm.
The present study is concerned with the problem of realism in quantum mechanics. Contrary to the prevailing view that quantum mechanics forces us to abandon the concept of realism and reality, the author attempts to substantiate another standpoint. Quantum objects indeed exist in a different way from classical bodies. Before the act of measurement begins, one cannot attribute any specific properties to the quantum object observed, as they only occur in the course observation. The concept of observation, however, should not be interpreted as the inclusion of subjective traits in the description of nature. Observation records processes in space and time and establishes the fact of transition from the potential to the reality. The potential is described by a wave function, which in its meaning does not fall in the habitual space and time, whereas the actual is described in terms of a reduction of the wave function, i.e. the transition from a range of possible states to the single one, the observed. Whatever has been observed, in contrast, already belongs to ordinary space and time and can be detected. What follows is that, in quantum mechanics, it is the notion of reality which needs to be reconsidered, not the realism as such rejected. A reconsideration of this sort is conducted here within the framework of a double-modus picture of reality including both potential and actual being, where the quantum level of existence is distinguished from the observed modi of being as described by means of classical concepts. Such a scheme can be described in terms of Aristotelian metaphysics (the fact first pointed out by Heisenberg). The act of transition from potential to actual can be accounted for both in the language of Aristotle’s metaphysics and the language of modern science. In traditional metaphysics it is called the 'principle of individuation', while in modern science it is known as the extended Mach principle. It is argued that the development of these ideas leads to the rejection of Cartesian paradigm in which the existence of a material object always means an existence in space and time.
A short review of some recent developments in the philosophy of physics is presented. I focus on themes which illustrate relations and points of common interest between philosophy of physics and three of its `neighboring' elds: Physics, metaphysics and general philosophy of science. The main examples discussed in these three `border areas' are (i) decoherence and the interpretation of quantum mechanics; (ii) time in physics and metaphysics; and (iii)methodological issues surrounding the multiverse idea in modern cosmology.
Relational ideas for our description of the natural world can be traced to the concept of Anaxagoras on the multiplicity of basic particles, later called “homoiomeroi” by Aristotle, that constitute the Universe and have the same nature as the whole world. Leibniz viewed the Universe as an infinite set of embodied logical essences called monads, which possess inner view, compute their own programs and perform mathematical transformations of their qualities, independently of all other monads. In this paradigm, space appears as a relational order of co-existences and time as a relational order of sequences. The relational paradigm was recognized in physics as a dependence of the spatiotemporal structure and its actualization on the observer. In the foundations of mathematics, the basic logical principles are united with the basic geometrical principles that are generic to the unfolding of internal logic. These principles appear as universal topological structures (“geometric atoms”) shaping the world. The decision-making system performs internal quantum reduction which is described by external observers via the probability function. In biology, individual systems operate as separate relational domains. The wave function superposition is restricted within a single domain and does not expand outside it, which corresponds to the statement of Leibniz that “monads have no windows”.