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/Title (Ontological Status of Molecular Structure)
/Author (Giuseppe Del Re)
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/Subject (Molecular structure \(MS\) has been treated as a convention or an epiphenomenon by physicists and quantum chemists interpreting the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics as the essential reality criterion in the submicroscopic world \(R2 world\). This paper argues that, \(a\) even in the R2 world there is a class of entities which are real per se, even though they cannot be separated from their material support, and MS may belong to that class; \(b\) MS actualizes a particular molecule from the many potentialities of a given set of nuclei and electrons, all present in the same Schrdinger equation; \(c\) MS is a fact established in the XIXth century, albeit as a result of circumstantial evidence \(because of its belonging to the R2 world\); \(d\) the fact that MS is known, as all objects of the atomic world, in terms of analogies with macroscopic models, is not valid grounds for questioning its reality; \(e\) MS is a set of topological as well as geometrical relations. All along the discussion, observability according to Bohr, Heisenberg, Feynman is taken as the essential criterion of reality in the R2 world. On its basis, quantum mechanics is by no means in conflict with the reality of molecular structure and shape. On the other hand, the question of the minimum lifetime required for a MS proper to exist should be left open, pending a detailed analysis of measurement techniques. )
/Keywords (ontology; molecular structure; quantum mechanics; analogy; observability)
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Ontological Status of Molecular Structure
Giuseppe Del Re
Molecular structure (MS) has been treated as a convention or an epiphenomenon by physicists and quantum chemists interpreting the mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics as the essential reality criterion in the submicroscopic world (R2 world). This paper argues that, (a) even in the R2 world there is a class of entities which are real per se, even though they cannot be separated from their material support, and MS may belong to that class; (b) MS actualizes a particular molecule from the many potentialities of a given set of nuclei and electrons, all present in the same Schrödinger equation; (c) MS is a fact established in the XIXth century, albeit as a result of circumstan¬tial evidence (because of its belonging to the R2 world); (d) the fact that MS is known, as all objects of the atomic world, in terms of analogies with macro¬scopic models, is not valid grounds for questioning its reality; (e) MS is a set of topological as well as geometrical relations. All along the discussion, ob¬servability according to Bohr, Heisenberg, Feynman is taken as the essential criterion of reality in the R2 world. On its basis, quantum mechanics is by no means in conflict with the reality of molecular structure and shape. On the other hand, the question of the minimum lifetime required for a MS proper to exist should be left open, pending a detailed analysis of measurement techniques.
ontology
molecular structure
quantum mechanics
analogy
observability
Copyright 1998 by HYLE and Giuseppe Del Re
True
http://www.hyle.org
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