Original scientific paper

Potentiality, Actuality, and Quantum Mechanics

Boris Kožnjak

Abstract

In this paper a possible interpretative value of Aristotle’s fundamental ontological doctrine of potentiality (δύναµις) and actuality (ἐνέργεια) is considered in the context of operationally undoubtedly the most successful but interpretatively still controversial theory of modern physics – quantum mechanics – especially regarding understanding the nature of the world, the phenomena of which it describes and predicts so successfully. In particular, beings of the atomic world are interpreted as real potential beings (δυνάµει ὄντα) actualized by the measurement process in appropriate experimental arrangement, and the problem of actual beings (ἐνεργείᾳ ὄντα) of the atomic world (better known as the measurement problem in quantum mechanics) is considered in the context of Aristotle’s threefold requirement for the priority of actuality over potentiality – in time (χρόνος), definition or knowledge (λόγος), and substantiality (οὐσία).

Keywords

Actual beings; actuality; Aristotle; measurement problem; potential beings; potentiality; priority of actuality; quantum mechanics

Hrčak ID:

19070

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/19070

Publication date:

21.12.2007.

Article data in other languages: croatian german

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