The Problem of Molecular Structure Just Is The Measurement problem

Vanessa A Seifert; Alexander Franklin

doi:10.1086/715148

The Problem of Molecular Structure Just Is The Measurement problem

Vanessa A Seifert, Alexander Franklin^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

130 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Whether or not quantum physics can account for molecular structure is a matter of considerable controversy. Three of the problems raised in this regard are the problems of molecular structure. We argue that these problems are just special cases of the measurement problem of quantum mechanics: insofar as the measurement problem is solved, the problems of molecular structure are resolved as well. In addition, we explore one consequence of our argument: that claims
about the reduction or emergence of molecular structure cannot be settled independently of the choice of a particular resolution to the measurement problem. Specifically, we consider how three standard putative solutions to the measurement problem inform our understanding of a molecule in isolation, as well as of chemistry’s relation to quantum physics.

Original language	English
Journal	British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
Volume	75
Issue number	1
Early online date	1 May 2021
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/715148
Publication status	Published - 1 Mar 2024

Bibliographical note

The MetaScience project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's (EU) Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, grant agreement No 771509.

Research Groups and Themes

Centre for Science and Philosophy

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10.1086/715148Licence: CC BY-NC

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This is the author accepted manuscript (AAM). The final published version (version of record) is available online via The University of Chicago Press at https://doi.org/10.1086/715148. Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher.
Accepted author manuscript, 529 KBLicence: CC BY-NC

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10 Citations
1 Chapter in a book
1 Article (Specialist Publication)

Going quantum with chemistry's structures
Franklin, A. & Seifert, V., 14 Jul 2021, British Journal for the Philosophy of Science Short Reads.
Research output: Contribution to specialist publication › Article (Specialist Publication)

Open Access
File
Do molecules have structure in isolation? How models can provide the answer
Seifert, V. A., 30 Nov 2020, (Accepted/In press) Philosophical Perspectives on Quantum Chemistry. Lombardi, O., Fortin, S. & Martínez González, J. C. (eds.). Springer, (Synthese Library).
Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter in a book

MetaScience: The Metaphysical Unity of Science
Tahko, T. (Principal Investigator), Seifert, V. A. (Researcher), Friend, T. T. (Researcher), Kimpton-Nye, S. (Researcher), Bellazzi, F. (Student), Franklin, A. (Other ) & Morgan, W. H. (Researcher)
1/09/18 → 31/08/23
Project: Research

24th conference of the International Society for the Philosophy of Chemistry
Seifert, V. A. (Participant)
14 Jul 2021
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
British Society for the Philosophy of Science Annual Conference 2021
Seifert, V. A. (Speaker)
7 Jul 2021
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
Foundations of Physics @Harvard Series
Seifert, V. A. (Invited speaker)
29 Jun 2021
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Invited talk

Cite this

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title = "The Problem of Molecular Structure Just Is The Measurement problem",

abstract = "Whether or not quantum physics can account for molecular structure is a matter of considerable controversy. Three of the problems raised in this regard are the problems of molecular structure. We argue that these problems are just special cases of the measurement problem of quantum mechanics: insofar as the measurement problem is solved, the problems of molecular structure are resolved as well. In addition, we explore one consequence of our argument: that claims about the reduction or emergence of molecular structure cannot be settled independently of the choice of a particular resolution to the measurement problem. Specifically, we consider how three standard putative solutions to the measurement problem inform our understanding of a molecule in isolation, as well as of chemistry{\textquoteright}s relation to quantum physics.",

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The Problem of Molecular Structure Just Is The Measurement problem

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Research Groups and Themes

Access to Document

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Research output

Going quantum with chemistry's structures

Do molecules have structure in isolation? How models can provide the answer

Projects

MetaScience: The Metaphysical Unity of Science

Activities

24th conference of the International Society for the Philosophy of Chemistry

British Society for the Philosophy of Science Annual Conference 2021

Foundations of Physics @Harvard Series

Cite this