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arxiv: 1510.03719 · v1 · pith:JZGVNLZ7new · submitted 2015-10-13 · ⚛️ physics.hist-ph

What is matter? The fundamental ontology of atomism and structural realism

classification ⚛️ physics.hist-ph
keywords dynamicalmatterontologyrelationsatomismchangefundamentalpoints
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We set out a fundamental ontology of atomism in terms of matter points. While being most parsimonious, this ontology is able to match both classical and quantum mechanics, and it remains a viable option for any future theory of cosmology that goes beyond current quantum physics. The matter points are structurally individuated: all there is to them are the spatial relations in which they stand; neither a commitment to intrinsic properties nor to an absolute space is required. The spatial relations change. All that is needed to capture change is a dynamical structure, namely dynamical relations as expressed in terms of the dynamical parameters of a physical theory.

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