Three Conundrums of the Quantum Ontology

The purpose of this talk is to briefly recall the main principles of quantum mechanics in order to understand the ontological challenges introduced by the theory. In particular, I will argue that quantum mechanics defies the category of individual for three different reasons: contextuality, non-separability, and indistinguishability. Each one of these three features of the theory violates a traditional ontological principle: the Principle of Omnimode Determination, the Principle of Separability, and the Principle of Identity of Indiscernibles, respectively. Therefore, any interpretation of quantum mechanics should formulate a “global” solution, according to which the three ontological challenges could be adequately tackled in terms of a single ontology.

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Publication Details

Journal
Principia an international journal of epistemology
Published
2026-10-28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5007/1808-1711.2026.e110318
Primary Topic
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Three Conundrums of the Quantum Ontology

Olímpia Lombardi
Principia an international journal of epistemology
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
article

Three Conundrums of the Quantum Ontology

Olímpia Lombardi
article en

Abstract

The purpose of this talk is to briefly recall the main principles of quantum mechanics in order to understand the ontological challenges introduced by the theory. In particular, I will argue that quantum mechanics defies the category of individual for three different reasons: contextuality, non-separability, and indistinguishability. Each one of these three features of the theory violates a traditional ontological principle: the Principle of Omnimode Determination, the Principle of Separability, and the Principle of Identity of Indiscernibles, respectively. Therefore, any interpretation of quantum mechanics should formulate a “global” solution, according to which the three ontological challenges could be adequately tackled in terms of a single ontology.

Principia an international journal of epistemologyVol. 30(3)
Universidad de Buenos Aires (AR)
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
Openalex Percentile: Top 20%
Quantum Mechanics and Applications
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