Indeterminism in physics and intuitionistic mathematics

DOI10.1007/S11229-021-03378-ZzbMATH Open1528.03082arXiv2011.02348OpenAlexW3097692516MaRDI QIDQ6180146FDOQ6180146

Nicolas Gisin

Publication date: 19 January 2024

Published in: Synthese (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Most physics theories are deterministic, with the notable exception of quantum mechanics which, however, comes plagued by the so-called measurement problem. This state of affairs might well be due to the inability of standard mathematics to "speak" of indeterminism, its inability to present us a worldview in which new information is created as time passes. In such a case, scientific determinism would only be an illusion due to the timeless mathematical language scientists use. To investigate this possibility it is necessary to develop an alternative mathematical language that is both powerful enough to allow scientists to compute predictions and compatible with indeterminism and the passage of time. We argue that intuitionistic mathematics provides such a language and we illustrate it in simple terms.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/2011.02348

zbMATH Keywords

indeterminismintuitionismfoundation of mathematics

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Philosophy of mathematics (00A30) Logic in the philosophy of science (03A10) Intuitionistic mathematics (03F55)

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Cited In (5)

• A stochastic model of mathematics and science
• Relational quantum mechanics and intuitionistic mathematics
• The open past in an indeterministic physics
• Quantum epistemology and constructivism
• How real is incomputability in physics?

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