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| Format: | Preprint |
| Published: |
2025
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| Online Access: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.20313 |
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| _version_ | 1866918105400213504 |
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| author | Adlam, Emily |
| author_facet | Adlam, Emily |
| contents | In this article, I argue that modern spacetime physics causes problems for a number of traditional accounts of modality, but also offers important new ideas about the connection between modal and non-modal features of reality. I suggest that recent work on relational observables in general relativity and quantum gravity can help us understand how non-modal features of reality could arise from modal features of reality within some form of modal ontic structural realism. In particular, I argue that the notion of an `internal view,' as employed in the partial/complete observables formalism and the quantum reference frame formalism, is an important conceptual insight which can help address outstanding problems in the philosophy of lawhood and modality. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2507_20313 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Relational Observables, Quiddities, and Structural Realism Adlam, Emily History and Philosophy of Physics In this article, I argue that modern spacetime physics causes problems for a number of traditional accounts of modality, but also offers important new ideas about the connection between modal and non-modal features of reality. I suggest that recent work on relational observables in general relativity and quantum gravity can help us understand how non-modal features of reality could arise from modal features of reality within some form of modal ontic structural realism. In particular, I argue that the notion of an `internal view,' as employed in the partial/complete observables formalism and the quantum reference frame formalism, is an important conceptual insight which can help address outstanding problems in the philosophy of lawhood and modality. |
| title | Relational Observables, Quiddities, and Structural Realism |
| topic | History and Philosophy of Physics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.20313 |