Quantum Indiscernibility and Perspectivalism

It has often been suggested that similar quantum particles may be a counterexample to the principle of the Identity of Indiscernibles. In this article, I discuss the status of indiscernibility in a perspectival approach to quantum mechanics. I argue that adopting an internal physical perspective can have the effect of making entities discernible even if they are not discernible relative to external reference frames, and thus perspectivalism offers a new way to understand the physical meaning of weak discernibility. I discuss whether this approach is circular, and I consider whether the reference frames involved are physically meaningful. I conclude that the Identify of Indiscernibles can probably be maintained in this context, though there are outstanding questions pertaining to the meaning of the quantum state and the way in which a system should be represented in its own reference frame.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Highlights in High-Energy Physics
Published
2026-03-31
DOI
https://doi.org/10.53941/hihep.2026.100004
Primary Topic
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

Quantum Indiscernibility and Perspectivalism

Emily Adlam
Highlights in High-Energy Physics
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
article

Quantum Indiscernibility and Perspectivalism

Emily Adlam
article en

Abstract

It has often been suggested that similar quantum particles may be a counterexample to the principle of the Identity of Indiscernibles. In this article, I discuss the status of indiscernibility in a perspectival approach to quantum mechanics. I argue that adopting an internal physical perspective can have the effect of making entities discernible even if they are not discernible relative to external reference frames, and thus perspectivalism offers a new way to understand the physical meaning of weak discernibility. I discuss whether this approach is circular, and I consider whether the reference frames involved are physically meaningful. I conclude that the Identify of Indiscernibles can probably be maintained in this context, though there are outstanding questions pertaining to the meaning of the quantum state and the way in which a system should be represented in its own reference frame.

Highlights in High-Energy PhysicsVol. 2(1)
John Templeton Foundation
Reduced inequalities
Openalex Percentile: Top 21%
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

Quantum Indiscernibility and Perspectivalism — Emily Adlam · Highlights in High-Energy Physics (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS