45 research outputs found
Scientific Explanation and Scientific Structuralism
No full textIn this paper we argue that quantum mechanics provides a genuine kind of structural explanations of quantum phenomena. Since structural explanations only rely on the formal properties of the theory, they have the advantage of being independent of interpretative questions. As such, they can be used to claim that, even in the current absence of one agreed-upon interpretation, quantum mechanics is capable of providing satisfactory explanations of physical phenomena. While our proposal clearly cannot be taken to solve all interpretive issues raised by quantum theory, we will argue that it can be successfully applied to some of its most puzzling phenomena, such Heisenberg's uncertainty relations and quantum non-locality. The discussion of these two case studies will also serve to illustrate the main properties of structural explanations and compare them to the DN and the unificationist models. Finally, we briefly discuss how structural explanations might relate to structural realism
Tertiary Lymphoid Organs Are Associated With Bacterial Dysbiosis in Chronic Rhinosinusitis
No full textFirst published: 15 May 2025Sathish Paramasivan, Ahmed Bassiouni, Nicholas A. Bokulich, Mahnaz Ramezanpour, Clare Cooksley, J. Gregory Caporasso, Shaun R. McColl, Peter-JohnWormald, Alkis J. Psaltis, Sarah Vreugd
Black Hole Remnants and Classical vs. Quantum Gravity
No full textBelot, Earman, and Ruetsche (1999) dismiss the black hole remnant proposal as an inadequate response to the Hawking information loss paradox. I argue that their criticisms are misplaced and that, properly understood, remnants do offer a substantial reply to the argument against the possibility of unitary evolution in spacetimes that contain evaporating black holes. The key to understanding these proposals lies in recognizing that the question of where and how our current theories break down is at the heart of these debates in quantum gravity. I also argue that the controversial nature of assessing the limits of general relativity and quantum field theory illustrates the significance of attempts to establish the proper borders of our effective theories
From theory choice to theory search: the essential tension between exploration and exploitation in science
No full text
