Differentiation and Quantum Theory (IO-Compatible Note)

Function in corpus

Physics-facing stabilization of the ontology.

Details

Summary This short IO‑compatible note addresses a common intuition that quantum mechanics “dissolves” structure by replacing definite classical states with superposition and probabilistic outcomes. It argues that quantum theory relocates structure rather than abolishing it: the wave function is presented as an unusually rigid mathematical object (defined evolution, normalization, interference structure) rather than as an absence of differentiation. The note reviews two canonical interpretive frames—collapse and Many‑Worlds—to emphasize that neither licenses a shapeless ontology. If collapse occurs, superposition narrows to a single outcome, which presupposes distinguishable possibilities and probabilistic constraint. If Many‑Worlds is correct, branching multiplies outcomes, but branching itself is highly structured (decoherence boundaries, lawful evolution, relational amplitudes). From there, it runs a thought experiment: a “world” with no distinctions at all. The note argues that even perfect uniformity still carries relational structure (e.g., extension implies spatial relation; persistence implies ordering). Removing all distinction collapses the content of “world” into something indistinguishable from nothing, because identity, state, and fact‑of‑the‑matter require contrast. Returning to quantum mechanics, the conclusion is that quantum theory exemplifies the persistence of structured differentiation in unfamiliar form. Reality need not be classical, but it must be structured in the minimal sense required for differentiation; quantum formalism, rather than threatening that condition, illustrates how deeply structure persists. • Key move: Quantum theory, across all its interpretations, never licenses a structureless ontology. • Corpus role: A defensive stabilization paper for Group I. • Scope note: The IO framework builds from Difference (Δ) as its foundational regime.

Availability

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