[Revised entry by Steven French and Tomasz Bigaj on February 29, 2024.
Changes to: Main text, Bibliography]
What are the metaphysical implications of quantum physics? One way of approaching this question is to consider the impact of the theory on our understanding of objects as individuals with well defined identity conditions. According to the ‘Received View’, which was elaborated as the quantum revolution was taking place, quantum theory implies that the fundamental particles of physics cannot be regarded as individual objects in this sense. Such a view has motivated the development of non-standard formal systems which are appropriate for…

Originally appeared on Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy Read More